
Bnok -0^^ 



THE HERO OF EOUE l^no... 

— , M^ 



- = ^ £ -s S SB & S S«^ 

OF HIS 



! 21 YEARS SERVICES IN THE AMERICAN NAVY, 

\ 

I AND SOME OF THE 

i BRILLIANT EXPLOITS 

I or 




/ 
\ 

j DURING THE 

1 WAR WITH FRANCE IN 1798 ; 

\ " " TRIPOLI— 1802 to 1805 ; 

; " ENGLAND— 1812 to 1815; | 

I " " ALGIERS— 1815 to 1816; 

I AND THE 

Suppression of the Firates--i822 to 27. 

' COPY-RIGHT SECURED FOR HIS OWN BENEFIT. 



A SHORT 

SKETCH OF THE LIFE 

OF , 

ELIJAH SHAW, 

WHO SERVED FOR TWZNTT-ONE YEARS IIT THE XJ. S. NA.VT, TAKINO 



AN ACTIVE PART IN 



FOUR DIFFERENT WARS 

BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES & FOREIGN POWERS: 




Viz.—I. WITH FRANCE m 1798; 

n. WITH TRIPOLI ..FROM 1802 to 1805 ; 

III. WITH ENGLAND-FROM 1812 to 1815 ; 

IV. WITH ALGIERS.. from 1815 to 1816 : ajid 

ASSISTED IN SUBDUING THE PIRATES, 

From 1822 to 1824. 

And in 1843 entered on board the " Old Ship Zion," under a 
New Commander, being in the 73d year of his age. 



THIRD EDITION. 



ROCHESTER : 

E. 3HEPABJ), MAMMOTH PIUSTIISG-HOUSE, 20 J STATE-STREET. 
1846. 



DIMENSIONS OF THE U. S. SHIP-OF-WAR 

PENNSYLVANIA. 



This Ship is the largest that we have in our navy, or that has 
ever been built by any nation. 

Size of said ship, 300 feet in length ; beam^ 67 feet ; 

Drawing 37 feet of water. 

Hull, 40 feet out of water. 

Height of her main-mast, 290 feet ; 

Spreading 37,000 yards of canvass. 
1,500 men to man her, including officers, 
160 pieces of canBon j 
Discharging 633 lbs of powder and one ton of shot. 

The amount of Provisions consumed in one year : 

Pork, 114 tone 800 lbs. 

Beef, 144 tons 200 lbs. 

Bread, 258 tons 600 lbs. 

Flour, 780 barrels. 

Beans, 1,228 bushels. 

Rice, 1,228 bushels. 

Cheese, 17J tons. 

Butter, 8| tons. 

Molasses, 5,200 gallons. 

Vinegar, 2,600 gallons. 

Raisins, 8^ tons. 

"Water, 547,600 gallons. 

The amount of Wages and Victualing, $1 per day per man, 
including officers. 

Whole amount of expenses for the maintenance of the vessel one 
year, 647,600 dollars. 

The outlay caused by the wear-and-tear of the vessel will be 
about equal to that for its maintenance ; making the total annual 
cost of the ship over a million of dollars. 



PREFACE. 



In presenting this publication to the world, the author deems it 
necessary to say, at the outset, that the reader will be disappointed 
if he expects to find its narratives given in any other than a plain, 
straightforward, matter-of-fact style. No attempt at flourish has 
been made. Indeed, the want of an ordinary education would forbid 
such an attempt. Still, the author cannot but believe that the na- 
ture of the narratives here given can hardly fail to interest every 
reader, and especially every true-hearted American reader — em- 
bracing, as they do, some of the most brilliant battles that were 
ever fought by the navy of the United States. 

The object of the author, in thus throwing this work before the 
public, is twofold . In the first place, he believes that nothing is so 
well calculated to keep alive the flame of patriotism, which, it ia 
to be presumed, burns in the breast of every American, as the 
occasional perusal of the difiiculties which, as a nation, we have not 
only been obliged to encounter, but have honorably overcome ; and, 
secondly, he is anxious, by the proceeds of the sale of the work, to 
make all the remuneration in his power for the kindness he has re- 
ceived from the people of Monroe County, who, when he hungered, 
gave him meat ; when a stranger, took him in, and when naked, clo- 
thed him : for it may as well be remarked, first as last, that the mis- 
fortunes of the author compelled him, in 1841, to seek an asylum in 
the Monroe County House, where he yet remains. 

It has passed into a proverb, that " Republics are ungrateful " — 
with what justice, every person of common intelligence has the 
means of judging for himself. One thing, however, must be admit- 
ted by all — the American government is neither so liberal as most 
foreign governments, in extending aid to those of its subjects who 
have spent the best years of their lives in its service, nor as liberal 
as it has the means of being. But the author is not disposed to 



IV. 

complain of this neglect, so far as he is individually concerned . With- 
out becoming the recipient of his government's favors, he has, until 
within a year or two, succeeded in providing himself with the neces- 
saries of life ; and he doubts not, that for the necessarily brief span 
of time allotted him here. He, who feedeth even the fowls of the air, 
will not suffer hiin to come to want. 
Rochester^ July 4, 1843. 




im^'^'^^^ 



LIFE OF ELIJAH SHAW. 



CHAP. I. 

Birth and Parentage — ^Revolutionary War — Continental Money — Sufferings incident to 
settling' in a new Country — Commencing the World — Loss of three Years' Wages — 
New York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore. 

I was born in the State of Vermont, on the 22d day of January, 
1771. My parents, though poor, bore an irreproachable reputation. 
I received that kind of advice from them v?hich parents, who take an 
interest in the welfare of their children, are wont to impart to them; 
but as soon as my back was turned upon home, I paid little or no at- 
tention to it. They frequently assured me, that if I heeded not 
their admonitions, I should have abundant reasons for regretting it 
through life : I have found their words literally true. 

I was about six years of age at the commencement of the Revo- 
lutionary war. My father zealously espoused the cause of his coun- 
try, from the outbreak of the difficulties, and soon obtained a lieu- 
tenant's commission. After serving four years under his commis- 
sion, he was taken prisoner at the Horse Neck, about thirty miles 
from New York. His commanding officer, at the time, was Gen. 
Putnam. His eldest brother was taken prisoner at the same time. 
After the British gained possession of New York, my father and un- 
cle were put on board the old Jersey ship, then used as a prison ship, 
and lying at the time where the Navy Yard now stands. They re- 
mained thus in durance through the winter, when actual starvation 
ended the sufferings of my uncle ; my father, about the same time, 
making his escape by swimming ashore. A large number of the 
other prisoners were also starved to death. 

My father soon joined the service again, receiving a captain's com- 
mission, and remained in the service until the close of the war. He 
received his pay in " Continental money," and returned to his fam- 
ily. This money soon become of no more value than an equal 
amount of waste paper ; and thus was my father cheated out of the 
six or seven years' hard service he had rendered his country. 



6 

Shortly after the ratification of peace, my father removed to the 
town of Springfield, Otsego county, New York. The country was 
new at the time, and he settled on a piece of land in the woods, at 
least a mile from any other house. Being poor, ai^ depending upon 
his own hands for the support of his family (though, as the 
oldest of the children, I was able to render some assistance,) our 
sufferings weie extremely severe. For the first two years, we often 
considered ourselves fortunate if we got even a piece of johnny-cake, 
or a potato, for supper. 

I remained with my father, until I was nineteen j^ears of age, 
when he gave me my time. I thereupon proceeded to Albany, but 
found no situation that pleased me , From Albany I went down the 
North River to Hudson, where I fell in with a cooper by the name 
of Thomas Rogers, and engaged to work one month for him at get- 
ting out staves. At the expiration of the month, he paid me eight- 
een dollars, the price agreed upon, and advised me to learn the coop- 
ering business. He agreed, if I would stay with him three years, to 
learn me the trade, and pay me six dollars per month for the first 
year, nine the second, and twelve the third and last. Being satis- 
fied with the offer, I entered into articles of agreement to work for 
him the three years upon the terms proposed. 

After remaining with Mr. Rogers for about two and a half years, 
I discovered there was a prospect of his failing, and told him I could 
work no longer without security. He then owed me one hundred 
and eighty dollars. He very readily gave me a bill of sale of a span 
of horses and two cows, the horses being valued at two hundred dol- 
lars. I felt satisfied, and worked out the remainder of my time, and 
upon settlement found he owed me two hundred and thirty dollars. 
He told me he had not the money, and I must sell the property. I ac- 
cordingly advertised it ; but on the day of sale, his son-in-law came 
forward and produced a bill of sale dated six months previously to 
mine ; and of course I lost every cent of Mr. Rogers' indebtedness 
to me. 

I then went about four miles from Hudson, and hired out for six 
months at eighteen dollars per month ; but by working extra hours, 
completed my six months' work in four. I received my pay accord- 
ing to agreement, and set sail for the city of New York. Here I 
found employment at my trade, and remained about a year. I next 
went to Philadelphia, where I worked about a year ; then to Balti- 
more, where I obtained employment for about six months ; then back 
to Philadelphia, and after remaining there a few days, returned to 
New York, and commenced work again for the man who had before 
employed me there. During the two and a half years I was thus 
dodging about, I laid up little or no money, having found abundant 
opportunities for spending it. 



CHAP, II. 

War between the United States and France — Sailing of the Americnn Squadron from 
Norfollt to the West Indies — Cruising for the enemy — Fnll in with and conquer a 
vessel of superior force — " First impressions of an engagement" — Ultimate wreck of 
our prize. 

The war between the United States and France, originating in an 
attempt on the part of the latter named country to make us a party 
in the war she was then waging with the despots of Europe, com- 
menced in 1798. At that time I was in New York. Thinking it 
would be a fine thing to go to sea, I entered the navy for tu j years; 
but actually served in it for twenty-one years, seven months, "- 1 
five days, during which time I took part in the difficulties of the Uju- 
ted States, let, with France — 2d, with Tripoli — 3d, with Great Bri- 
tain — 4th, with Algiers — 5th, with the Pirates. 

But I am proceeding rather too rapidly, and must " begin at the 
beginning." I was transferred to the frigate Constellation, rated at 
36 guns, but actually carrying 44, under the command of Commo- 
dore Truxton. The crew consisted of 350 men, including the offi- 
cers. I went as cooper of the ship. We lay in New York about 
one month, when we sailed for Baltimore, and took in the remainder 
of our sea stores, after which we proceeded to Norfolk. 

After remaining at Norfolk a short time, we proceeded to the W. 
Indies, in company with the frigates United States, the John Adams, 
the Congress, the Liitle Adams of 32 guns, the Little York 32, the 
Connecticut 36, Boston 36, &. Gen. Green 36 ; Brigs Siren and Argus, 
each 16 guns, and schooner Enterprize, of 14 guns. We bade fare- 
well to the United States with three hearty cheers, resolved to con- 
quer the French, or die. Old Neptune favored us with pleasant 
gales, and on the eighteenth day we arrived in sight of the West 
Indies. Our orders were to separate, and to cruise off different 
islands, and to take, burn, sink, or destroy all French vessels we en- 
countered, and not to disgrace the American colors by hauling them 
down to art equal force. 

We had been cruising off different islands for about three months, 
without finding any game, when we fell in with a French ship, the 
Insurgente, of 50 guns. We hoisted French colors, and stood for 
her. She immediately hauled down her colors and hoisted the Am- 
erican, and bore down upon us. We then hauled down the French 
colors and hoisted the American, and made a signal; but she was not 
able to answer the signal, and made all sail she possibly could from 
us. At the time, we were about ten miles from her. We imme- 
diately crowded all the sail we could, and prepared for -a chase. 
The wind was at the rate of ten knots an hour. 

This was about ten o'clock in the forenoon. Before sundown we 
were within about five miles of the vessel. The following was a 
pleasant moonlight night, and we gained upon the enemy about a 
mile. In the morning wo felt convinced that we should be able to 



8 

bring her into action before twelve o'clock. We were about half a 
inile to the windward of her ; but seeing our advantage, she tacked 
ship at eight in the morning, with the view of getting the weather 
gnge of us. We also tacked, determined to maintain, if possible, 
our favorable position . The enemy stood on her course for about 
five miles, when she squared away before the wind, and set studding 
sails fore and aft, at the same time crowding all the sail in her power. 
We immediately followed suit, and rapidly gained upon her. About 
twelve o'clock she commenced firing across her stern chasers, which 
added to her headway ; but as it would have lessened our speed to 
fire our bow chasers, we concluded not to return the salute until we 
could do it from another quarter of the vessel. At the time, we 
were about two miles from the Insurgente, and all her shots dropped 
astern of us. 

I may here remark, that I now for the first time wished myself back 
in tlic woods. I was a new beginner at the work, and did not like 
the idea of being made a mark for the French to shoot at. I was 
stationed with the ship carpenter at the pumps — it also devolving 
upon us, if necessary, to use the shot-plugs. I did not think so 
much of being at the pumps as I did of being over the side of the 
vessel, stopping the shot-holes. Directly, we received a shot in the 
bow, which passed quite through, and I was ordered to go over and 
stop the hole. This being the first shot we had received, and not 
relishing the errand, I would have given my jacket and old tarpaulin 
to have been on terra Jirma ; but I mustered all the courage I could, 
went over the bow, and soon succeeded in stopping the hole. By 
the time I had fairly finished the unwelcome job, another shot struck 
the starboard bow, close by the cutwater, and not more than five 
feet from me. I do not know what my appearance must have been 
at that moment ; but I can assure the reader, that my feelings were 
anything else than agreeable. However I soon sung out, with a 
great deal of apparent courage, " Pass me another shot-plug, for our 
French neighbors are beginning to fire very carelessly :" and this 
hole, also, I soon stopped. 

The French now took in their studding sail, and we followed suit. 
This was to our advantage, as we were to the windward. We were 
now about one and a half miles from the enemy. About three 
o'clock P.M., we luflfed up within three-quarters of a mile of her, 
and gave her the first broadside. The shot did good execution. We 
cut her spars, rigging, and hull. We gave her the second broadside, 
when she hoisted her colors, hauled up the courses, clewed up her 
top-gallant sail, and commenced action. We manoeuvred to get 
nearer to her, but not with as much success as we wished. We ge- 
nerally gave three broadsides to her two, raking her hull to good 
effect. Her shots often struck the water before reaching us, and ri- 
sing from the water, passed over our heads, not doing much injury. 
In the course of half an hour, we got so close to her, that we made 



use of grape shot, double-headers, bar shot, star shot, cannister and 
round shot, at the same charge. We still made sad work with her 
hull ; and our small shot, passing into her port-holes, peppered her 
men nicely. 

About three glasses, (or one hour andahalf,)after the commence- 
ment of the engagement, the enemy struck her colors. We lower- 
ed our boats for boarding — when she hoisted her colors again, and 
renewed the action. By this base trick we received considerable da- 
mage. We were much exposed at the time, little expecting a shot 
from the vessel after she had hauled down her colors, and acknow- 
ledged herself conquered. However, our men were soon at their 
guns again, and we returned the shot, two to one. After continuing 
the action about twenty minutes longer, the Insurgente hauled down 
her colors the second time ; but having no idea of being caught by 
the same trick again, we gave her five good broadsides in rapid suc- 
cession. She then hoisted her colors with the union down — a sign 
of distress ; and well she might, for her hull was comparatively cut 
to pieces, and she was taking in water very fast. We hauled along- 
side, and boarded her ; but still the Frenchmen appeared not satis- 
fied, and it was not without the shedding of more blood that we 
compelled them to lay down their arms, and confined them in irons 
below. We stopped the leakage as much as possible, and repaired 
her spars and rigging sails ; but found it difficult to get her into port, 
she was so much damaged. The port we put into was St. Croix. 

The crew of the Insurgente consisted of 700 men, and she car- 
ried 50 guns. We carried 44 guns, and our crew, as before stated, 
consisted of 350 men. Our killed and wounded numbered 37, and 
those of our enemy 320. 

At St. Croix, our own vessel and our prize were repaired. A 
prize-master and one hundred men, including officers, were then put 
on board the latter vessel, and she sent to Baltimore, where she ar- 
rived safely. Siie vvas afterwards thoroughly repaired, and manned 
with American seamen, and started for the West Indies, to join our 
squadron ; but, unfortunately, she never reached the place of her 
destination. From the best information that could be obtained, she 
is supposed to have been wrecked upon the Florida shoals, and all on 
board to have perished. Some of these shoals extend a great dis- 
tance from the shore, and many vessels have been lost upon them for 
want of a correct knowledge of them. 



CHAP. m. 

Return to our old Cruisine Ground — A French 74 fell in with — Dare not risk an En- 
gagement with her — Capture a French merchanlman — Fired her, to prevent her re- 
capture by the 74 — Escape from a net of out own setting — A gale — Peace between 
the United States and France — Return Hume. 

After the sailing of our prize for Baltimore, we again returned to 
our old cruising ground, in hopes of falling in with another vessel of 



10 

the enemy ; but having, apparently, no very great desire to encoun- 
ter the " Yankee boys," as they called us, they kept out of sight for 
some time . One night, however, after we had been out about two 
months, we hove in sight of a French 74, and exchanged a few shots 
with her, little injury being done on either side. We had discovered 
enough of her to know that her force was far superior to ours, and 
not coveting an engagement under such circumstances, we availed 
ourselves of the darkness to get out of her reach . 

In the morning, we discovered her about ten miles to the leeward 
of us . She crowded additional canvass, and prepared to give us a 
chase ; but as the Constellation was an excellent sailer, we were ea- 
eily enabled to keep out of her way. We did not choose, however, 
to exhibit the strength of our speed, by spreading all our sail, as wo 
were in hopes of soon falling in with some of our other cruisers. 
But in this we were mistaken. Our enemy discovered that we were 
trying to deceive her, and gave up the chase. The next day she fell 
in wnth the frigate United States, and a few shots were exchanged 
between the two vessels. Prom the same motives that influenced 
us, the United States had considered it advisable to make her 
escape, and the very next day fell in with us. It was unfortunate 
that we did not keep in sight of the enemy, as Ave could undoubted- 
ly have captured her, with the assistance of the United States . 

We cruised for several days in sight of the United States, in 
hopes of encountering the French 74 again, but without success. 
We were separated one night in a gale, and continued cruising by 
ourselves for some time, without seeing anything of the enemy. 

After being out about three months, we put into Kingston, on one 
of the Jamaica islands, for the purpose of overhauling our rigging 
and sail, and to obtain fresh sea stores. We afterwards repaired to 
our old cruising ground, and soon fell in with a merchant vessel of 
two hundred tons, and carrying fifty-two men and officers. She 
was from Bordeaux, in France, and bound for Cuba, with a cargo of 
silks and fine linen. We had little difficulty in taking her, and in- 
tended to put into Kingston with her. But very much to our 
chagrin, on the second day after this, the French 74, to which allu- 
sion has already been made, hove in sight ; and the only alternative 
left us, was either to give up our prize, or become a prize ourselves 
to the French. We determined at any rate, that neither the mer- 
chantman nor her cargo should fall into the hands of the French 
again. She was accordingly ordered along side of us, and the men, 
provisions, and a few bales of silks and linens taken off, and fire ap- 
plied to her. If we could have taken her into port she would have 
proved a rare prize, the value of her cargo having been estimated at 
two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. 

Our French neighbor evidently determined to punish us, if possi- 
ble, for the destruction of her friend, the merchantman, and accord- 
ingly crowded all sail and bore down toward us. But we had no 
fears of her, having once ran away from her, and knowing that wo 



11 

could do eo again. All we cared about, was to keep at a safe dis- 
tance from her, in hopes of meeting with another of our cruisers — 
in which event we would have given her battle to her heart's con- 
tent. But the net we were attempting to est for her, carae near 
entangling ourselves. On the afternoon of the next day, two addi- 
tional sails were descried from our mast head . In hopes that they 
might be friends we stood for them ; and after approaching suffi- 
ciently near made a signal, but it was not answered. Our suspicions 
that the vessels — one of which proved to be a frigate, the other a 
sloop — belonged to the enemy, were soon confirmed, by their an- 
swering the signal of our pursuer. The three vessels immediately 
attempted to surround us, but the Constellation proved too fast for 
them ; and the next morning neither of them was to be seen. 

We continued cruising several days without falling in with any 
vessel. About this time we encountered a severe gale, and sus- 
tained considerable damage. Our main-top mast, top-gallant mast, 
and jib-boom, were carried away, and our rigging and sail much in- 
jured. But the most melancholy effects ot the gale, were the loss 
of two men overboard, and the killing of one by the carrying away 
of the main-top mast. 

We put into a port on the island of Burmuda, to repair, and while 
there the frigate United States came in dismasted. Having remained 
here about six weeks, we returned to our old field of labor, but 
cruised four or five weeks without seeing anything of the enemy. — 
We then changed our ground more to the windward of the island, 
but with no better success. 

It was now, for the first time, that we received news that there 
was some prospect of peace between the two countries ; and orders 
were sent us to return to port and hold ourselves in readiness for 
action again, in case the negotiations should fail. We accordingly 
returned to Kingston, and after remaining there about two months, 
news of peace was received, and with it, orders to return home. 

We set sail about ten days after this for the city of Washington, 
which place we reached on the nineteenth day, having had a very 
pleasant passage. Four vessels of the squadron arrived before we 
did. The exact number of prizes taken by the squadron, I do not 
now recollect, but it was quite large. We lost but one vessel. 



CHAP. IV. 

Amount of Prize Money, (fee. — An East India Speculation — Turn Ship Carpenter — Re- 
turn to New York — An old Ship Mate — Make the Acquaintance of a Young Lady, 
and finally M;irry her. 

About a week after we arrived at Washington, we were paid off 
and discharged. I had served one year and nine months. The 



12 

amount of my prize money was three hundred and twenty dollars, 
and that of my wages about three hundred dollars. I designed put- 
ting out five hundred dollars of my money at interest ; but was per- 
suaded to invest it in an East India vessel, being told that it would 
double, without doubt, in the course of two years. At the time, 
there was a vessel lying at Alexandria, six miles below Washington, 
that was to sail in a few days ; and I had many pressing invitations 
to invest my money in her. I finally entered into writings with her 
owners, by which it was agreed that they should receive, for the in- 
cidental expenses of the vessel, their own trouble, iic, all over one 
hundred per cent, that my money should earn, and that in the event 
of the loss of the vessel, I should claim no part of the money thus 
invested. 

Soon after making this investment, I commenced work in the 
Navy Yard, at the ship carpenters' business. Having a pretty good 
knowledge of tools, I was paid one dollar and fifty cents per day. — 
At first my work principally consisted in dressing lumber. After 
working about three months, my wages were raised to two dollars 
per day. I remained at the same wages some nine months longer, 
when I went to New York. My reasons for doing so, were two 
fold — in the first place, wages were considerably higher there than 
at Washington ; and secondly, nature having blessed me with un- 
common strength, when any heavy lifting was to be done in the 
yard at Washington, I was always called upon to lake a part in it, 
whether it directly pertained to my department of labor or not. I 
may remark in this connection, that at that time I weighed two hun- 
dred and ten pounds, and could easily carry a stick of timber that 
would require the united strength of almost any other two men in 
the yard. 

At New York, I went to work for a man by the name of Noah 
Brown, who was engaged at ship building on a larger scale than any 
other person in the city — giving employment to some five hundred 
men. He paid me two dollars and twenty-five cents per day. Af- 
ter working at dressing timber and plank for about six months, I 
changed my employment to spar making, wishing to obtain as gen- 
eral a knowledge of the ship building business as possible. 

A short time after this, I obtained a situation in the United States 
Navy Yard. The work not being as heavy there, (there being a 
large number of laboring men lying in ordinary, who did most of 
the drudgery,) and being obliged to labor but ten hours in the day, 
and the pay being sure, I very readily consented to a reduction of 
twenty-five cents per day from my former wages. 

Some three months after this, I received intelligence that the ves- 
sel in which I had invested my all, while on her homeward passage, 
was wrecked, and her cargo and part of her crew lost. Thus were 
my high anticipations of becoming rich so soon and with so little 
trouble to myself, blasted in a moment. This made my loss, since 



13 

I commenced the world for myself, between eight and nine hundred 
dollars ; and I began to think that fortune had no favors in store for 
me. However, I was not then penniless, having some four hundred 
dollars on hand, and striving to forget my misfortunes, continued 
my work with as stout a heart as possible. 

About this time I fell in with a young man, who was a shipmate 
of mine on board the Constellation, when cruising off the West 
Indies. His father lived in Westchester county, about twenty-two 
miles from New York. He one day invited me to accompany him to 
his father's, on a visit, which invitation I very cheerfully accepted, 
glad to leave, for a brief season at least, the noisy and bustling me- 
tropolis. The ride being a most delightful one, these visits were 
followed up by us every week or two, especially in the season of 
fruit — usually going out on Saturday and returning on Monday. — 
During these visits I became acquainted with a young woman of 
respectability, who was reared in the family of my shipmate's father. 
Being thrown into company so often, an acquaintance necessarily 
followed, and this acquaintance soon resulted in a mutual attachment 
between us. I do not wish, however, to trespass upon the patience 
of the reader by entering into the details of this affair of our affec- 
tions — suffice it to say, we were married. One very prominent mo- 
tive I had in thus changing my condition, was a wish to settle down 
in life, convinced that my roving habits for some years had not, to 
say the least, added to my coffers, and believing that a wedded life 
would thoroughly wean me from a desire to renew those habits. 



CHAP. V. 

War between the United States and Tripoli — Sailing of the Squadron — Arrival off Tri- 
poli — An engagement, resulting in the sinking of one the Enemy's Boats, and the 
capture of another — Narrow Escape. 

The difficulties between the United States and Tripoli, one of the 
Barbary States, occurred, it will be recollected, in 1801. Our gov- 
ernment had previously been obliged to pay some of the other Bar- 
bary States heavy tributes to induce them to cease their annoying 
attacks upon the American merchant vessels trading in the Mediter- 
ranean ; and the Bashaw of Tripoli, JessufCaramalli, offended because 
the tribute paid him was not equal to that paid some of his neigh- 
bors, became arrogant and insulting in his demands, and renewed his 
depredations upon our vessels. Such conduct was not to be tamely 
submitted to by our government ; and a squadron was fitted out for 
the Mediterranean, not only to awe Tripoli by its presence, but the 
other Barbary States. 

The squadron consisted of the following named vessels : The frig- 
ates; United States of 44 guns, President of 44, Constitution of 44, 



u 

Congres of 36, Constellation of 36, John Adams of 36, Philadelphia 
of 36, Little Adams of 22, and Little York of 22 ; the brigs, Siren 
of 16, Argus of 16, and Vixen of 14 ; the schooner Enterprise of 14 ; 
besides some six or eight vessels for throwing shells and bombard- 
ing. The squadron, as is well known, was placed under the com- 
mand of Commodore Preble. 

I entered the Navy in the fall of 1802, (after the war had been 
prosecuted about a year,) determined to try my fortune once more 
upon the water. This was about three months after my marriage. 
When I first informed my wife of my intentions, it df^eply affected 
her. It was some day before I could reconcile her to the idea ; but 
at length she yielded, though in doing so it evidently cost her a 
great effort. And this is not to be wondered at. She had fondly 
calculated upon my leading a more domestic life than I had done be- 
fore ; and to be separated from her so soon, was most trying to her 
feelings. At best, 

" A life on the ocean wave" 

is none of the most secure ; but when are added to it the dangers of 
war, and war too, with a barbarous people, it becomes in the estima- 
tion of a young wife, one of unparalleled hazard. 

I was transferred to Philadelphia, under the command of Commo- 
dore Brainbridge. I entered as ship carpenter, my wages being 
twenty-two dollars per month. 

My wife accompanied me to Philadelphia, where our vessel was 
built by a donation from the ladies of that city, and presented to the 
United States, and where she was then lying. She finally sailed 
from New Brunswick, in the State of New Jersey, whither my wife 
accompanied me. For the few weeks we remained at New Bruns- 
wick, permission was granted me to spend most of my time on shore 
with my wife. Before sailing, I gave her three hundred dollars, and 
a half-pay ticket, on which she could draw every three months one- 
half of my wages — viz., thirty-three dollars. 

Sailing orders were at length received from the Secretary of the 
Navy. The squadron was to proceed to Gibraltar, and to await the 
orders of Commodore Preble. At the appointed hour, a farewell 
having previously been taken of our friends, anchors were weighed, 
and amid salutes and cheers from on board and on shore, our sails 
were spread to the wind, and we launched out upon the ocean. ' 

The next day we lost sight of the American shore, though not 
until we had experienced some severe squalls; and on the forty-sev- 
enth day after, if my memory serves me, we arrived at Gibraltar. — 
Some of the other vessels of the squadron, having sailed from 
other ports, arrived before we did, among which was our flag 
ship. We soon after received ordei's to proceed to Syracuse, in Si- 
cily, to take in water, and to make such repairs as were needed;— 
Having done so we weighed anchor for Tripoli — our orders being to 



15 

take, burn, sink or destroy the vessels of the enemy not only, but 
all vessels that might attempt to supply them. 

We cruised off Tripoli until the arrival of our fire ships, and 
commenced operations by throwing shells into the city, and by oc- 
casionally firing guns at the fort — our shots generally being return- 
ed, but without any damage to us. With the exception of the cap- 
ture of a Greek vessel that was supplying the Turks with provis- 
ions, little, however, was done, until the arrival of the gun-boats. 

The Turks had about one hundred and fifty gun-boats and row- 
gallies, some of which carried two long thirty-two pounders and 
thirty or forty men; but they appeared much better skilled in the 
use of the sword and cutlass, than in that of guns. 

Ship number four having no carpenter, I was called upon one day 
to go on board of her and make some slight repairs. Lieut. Somers 
accompanied me. The vessel at the time was lying about twenty 
miles from the city, and some distance from the rest of the squad- 
ron. After the repairs were made, our commander proposed, if vol- 
unteers could be raised, to run in and exchange a few shots with 
the Turks. There were but eighteen on board, including the Com- 
mander, all of whom readily volunteered. There was about an 
eight knot breeze at the time. We run in near the battery, though 
not within reach of their guns, and lay off and on for some time, for 
the purpose of decoying them out ; and soon had the pleasure of 
seeing two boats push out towards us. Each of these boats carried 
36 men and two 32 pounders. They ventured about four miles from 
the battery; but being resolved, apparently, not to get farther from 
their friends, we opened our gun upon them. I say gun, for we 
had only men enough to work one gun at a time — a thirty-two 
pounder. We had two of that class on board, and when one be- 
came hot we used the other. 

The boats of the enemy were very low, and we had to take as 
close aim as we would for a duck. Ninety-two shots were fired 
without any perceptible effect; but the ninety-third struck one of the 
boats between wind and water, and she immediately sunk. The 
other then steered for the harbor. We followed her, crowding all 
the sail we could. We gained upon her rapidly; and when within 
pistol shot, our large and small guns being well loaded, we receiv- 
ed orders to fire. The fire did tolerable execution. I had taken 
deliberate aim at the Tripolitan captain; but unfortunately my mus- 
ket exploded, injuring my left hand to such an extent as to render 
the thumb and one finger useless, and breaking the first joint of one 
of the fingers on my right hand. 

By this time the boats were along side, and we had orders to 
board. I jumped upon the bulwarks of the enemy's boat, receiving 
at the same time a blow from a cutlass, on the back part of my an- 
kle, just above the quarters of my shoe, which severed the main 
cord. I immediately sprang on the deck, but striking my other foot 



16 

on one of the ring bolts, I broke my ankle directly above the joint. 
Sprawling upon deck, and unable to rise, I discovered the Turk 
from whom I had received the first injury, sitting between me and 
the bulwarks. He was wounded in one of his legs, and was also 
unable to rise. He made a pass at my head with his cutlass, cutting 
through my hat and a silk handkerchief, and leaving a gash some 
two inches long in my head. I partly recovered, and made a thrust 
at him. He parried the blow, breaking about two inches from the 
end of my cutlass, and making another hole through the fore part 
of my hat. Thinking of my pistols, I drew one of them with my 
left hand, shattered as it was, being obliged to use my right in de- 
fending myself. I took as good aim as I could, and Avas fortunate 
enough to give the fellow the entire contents of the pistol — one 
ball and three buck shot. He immediately expired. 

The rest of the enemy were by this time killed, with the excep- 
tion of seven,, who had jumped overboard. We took our prize in 
tow as soon as possible, not being then very well prepared to risk 
a brush with a number of gun-boats which had just put out from the 
battery. These boats, however, did not venture very near, as some 
of our own vessels had already started to our assistance. The next 
day I was taken on board the Philadelphia, and my wounds dressed. 
My messmates gave me three cheers as I reached the deck, and 
" spliced the main brace," in other words, treated me to an extra 
glass of grog. There was but one of our men wounded besides 
myself. He received a blow in his right hand, by which he lost the 
use of it. 



CHAP. VI. 

The Philndelphia aground — Capture of lie.r Officers and Crew — Descriptiou of Tripoli — 
Inhumanity of the Turks towards their Prisoners. 

Not long after the skirmish just narrated, we gave chase to a 
Greek vessel loaded with provisions for the enemy. After pursuing 
her as near the battery as we deemed it prudent, without being able 
to intercept her, our commander ordered the ship to be put about. 
While in the act of doing so, she most unfortunately ran upon a 
reef of rocks; and every attempt of the crew, on the spur of the 
moment, <o get her off, proved fruitless. We were out of reach of 
the batteries: but immediately one hundred or more gun-boats and 
galleys put out from the shore, and completely surrounded us. As 
our vessel careened badly, the guns on one side pointing into the 
air, and those on the other into the water, the Commodore saw that 
resistance was worse than useless, and surrendered at once. Here 
let me remark, that this misfortune is not justly attributable to Com- 



n 

modore Brainbridge, as this reef was not laid down on the maps and 
charts of the harbor with which he had been furnished. 

On board the Philadelphia were a little over three h'lndred souls, 
about twenty of whom were officers. We were immediately f reed 
on boad the Turkish gun-boat.~> taken ashore, and confined in prison. 
We were stripped ot our clothing, and each m;m supplied with a 
frock reaching- the hip, and petticoat-trowsers reaching an inch or 
two below the knee. We were then ironed down to the stone floor, 
twelve men in a room, our feet about twelve inches apart, and our 
hands fastened to an iron passing across our breast;-', so that we 
could not turn our bodies on either side. 

Each morning our irons were loosed, and we taken out into the 
yard. The prison was surrounded with a small wall about twenty 
feet high, the yard containing about an acre of groimd. We were 
permitted to remain in the yard about an hour, during which time 
our daily allowance of food was served to us. This consisted of a 
biscuit of ground beans and barley, unsifted, and weighing about 
five ounces, three ounces of goat's meat, and one gill of sweet oil. 
We usually soaked our buscuits in water, and then a?e them with the 
oil — making one scanty meal answer for three. This was our man- 
ner of living for the nineteen months and seven days we remained 
prisoners. It should be added,, however, that we always had as 
much water as we wishcd,^ and that, too, of a superior quality. At 
the expiration of the hour, the Turks would march us back to the 
prison, iron iis down, and allow us to remain in that situation until 
about sundown, when we ware again granted an airing of some fif- 
teen minutes' duration, after which we would retire to our night's 
rest, if rest it could be called. 

Alter being thus confined for about two weeks, we were put to 
work, some at carrying bags of sand, and others drawing stone, for 
the completion of the wall around the city. The city is about ten 
mil s in ciiCiimference, and is surrounded with water, with the ex- 
ception of a narrow neck that connects it with the main land. At 
that time the wall was complete, except about a half a mile a- 
cross this neck. The wall was twenty-four fee<^ high, being thirty- 
six feet thick at the bottom, and eighteen at the top. On the top 
of the wall, cannon were mounted, which could be brought to bear 
in any direction. In the front part of the city, were three 
half moon batteries, the centre one mounting one hundred and fifty 
pieces of cannon and three tiers of guns, and the two wings seven- 
ty-five pieces each. 

From forty to fifty men constituted a team for each cart. These 
were awkward, clumsy vehicles, the wheels being about ten feet in 
diameter. The weight of the stone ranged from two to four tons, 
some of them being sixteen feet in length and two feet square, and 
were hoisted underneath the axlelree by means of a jack-screw.— 
Thoy were of a s«lt nature, and a ball weuld bury itself in them as 

2 



18 

readily as in a hewn log, without cracking or materially injuring ei- 
ther the stone or itself.' The distance we drew them was about 
three quarters of a mile. We generally drew two loads each day. 
A guard of twelve Turks, armed with muskets, and six drivers pro- 
vided with whips, accompanied each cart. These whips were cruel 
instruments. They were about the size of our heavy raw-hides, the 
tip end being split about eight inches, and three half-hitch knots ta- 
ken in each strand. The Turkish drivers seemed to take great pleas- 
ure in the severe treatment of the " Christian dogs," as they called 
us; and when they thought we did not draw hard enough, they ap- 
plied their whips with an unsparing hand. 

The road was a complete bed of quick sands in which the wheels 
would settle at least a foot. We worked bare headed and bare foot- 
ed; and the climate being very warm, our necks and feet were burnt 
to a perfect blister. Add to this the soreness of our backs, from the 
frequent application of the whips, and the famished condition of our 
bodies, and the reader can form some idea of our sufferings. 



CHAP. VII. 

View of the Philadelphia — Destruction of her, together with seven or eight hundred 
Turks, by Lieut. Decatur — Paithfulness of a Greek — Increased Rigor of the Turks 
toward their Prisoners — Turkish Whips and Yankee Fists. 

The first view we had of our ship, was one morning while loading 
stone on a height of ground overlooking the harbor. We learned 
that she had been got off a few days after we left her — a rise of wa- 
ter, caused by a heavy gale, having done what the Turks had already 
despaired of doing. She was then lying within half a mile of the 
battery, and was manned by a large number of Turks, whose colors 
floated aloft. That the sight called forth tears and the most poig- 
nant reflections, it is hardly necessary to add. 

Some two months after this, Lieut. Stephen Decatur asked per- 
mission of Commodore Preble to cut out or destroy the Philahelphia-. 
The Commodore doubted the expediency of the undertaking; but 
finally told Decatur that if he could raise, by volunteers, the num- 
ber of men required for the hazardous task, he might venture upon it. 

Lieut. Decatur soon succeeded in raising the volunteers, for whose 
use four long boats were provided — each boat carrying sixteen muf- 
fled oars and twenty-four men, beside officers. The first favorable 
night he run in and cut the cables under water, and had towed her 
a quarter of a mile before the watch discovered that all was not 
right. They then gave the alarm that she was adrift, it being so 
dark that they could not discover the boats. They supposed that 
she had dragged her anchors; but they soon found that they were 
mietaken, the cables having evidently parted. The boats having 



19 

pulled for the shipping when the watch first gave the alarm, and be- 
ing out of sight of the Turks in the morning, it was a mystery to 
them how the vessel could have parted her cables, especially as (he 
weather had not been boisterous. 

Not satisfied with this attempt, Decatur made another a few days 
afterward; but being discovered ho was again unsuccessful. The 
Turks had kept a closer watch since the parting of their cables, and 
having a number of gun-boats anchored around the vessel, Lieut. 
Decatur was compelled to return to the shipping again; but did not 
do so without being fired upon . The shots, however, did no damage. 

Some time in the early part of February, 1804, about a month 
after these attempts, Lieut. Decatur proposed the destruction of the 
Philadelphia, by the application of fire to her. Commodore Preble 
reluctantl}' yielded his assent. Obtaining by volunteers sixty daring 
Yankee boys, the Intrepid, a schooner of about ninety tons burden, 
that had been taken from the Greeks, was assigned him; and putting 
on board twelve barrels of spirits of turpentine, spirits of wine, &c. 
he prepared for a final attack. To secure a favorable issue, a skillful 
pilot was indispensable. Among the prisoners of war was a Greek, 
to whom the name of John Marshall had been given, and who had 
been a pilot in the service of the Turks. Decatur promised Marsh- 
all one thousand dollars per year for life, if he would pilot him safe- 
ly, and continue true to the American cause. This he agreed to. 
He could talk very good English, and also understood the Turkish 
language. 

Decatur got everything in readiness, and on the 13th day of that 
month set sail with as resolute and determined a crew as ever met 
an enem}'. About twelve o'clock that night, the Intrepid arrived 
within four' or five miles of the Philadelphia; but as the wind was 
not favorable to enable them to lay in and out, they proposed to put 
to sea again, and return the next night. The next night arrived, 
and with it a favorable wind. The officers and crew were dressed in 
Turkish style. Thirty of them were appointed as boarders, and the 
remainder were to hoist the fire-works on board. The casks were 
in slings and could be hoisted at a moment's v\'arning. 

About 12 o'clock the enemy were approached within hailing dis- 
tance. They hailed, asking the name of the approaching vessel. — 
The pilot answered in the Turkish language, and named one of the 
Turkish vessels, of about the same size, then lying in the harbor. 
He said he had parted his cables, and being afraid he would drift on 
to the rocks, wished them to pass him a v^'arp and haul him along 
side until morning. Not mistrusting the truth of the pilot's story, 
they passed a warp as desired, and the Intrepid was soon along side. 
Ths pilot then gave the signal for boarding, and sprang up the gun- 
v/ay, closely followed by Decatur, with his sword in one hand and a 
pistol in the other, determined to take the pilot's life at all hazards, 
should he prove treacherous. Neither Decatur nor any of the other 



20 

officpre or crew, having any knowledge of the Tuikish language, 
the'r lives dependei wh Uy upon the laithf I'neps of Marshiilf. But 
he befr-iyed t'lem not, though hu might easily !) ve done so. 

As soon as he had gaine.i afoct-h 1.1, Marshall knocked d wn t'e 
sentinel standing at the gunway. Decatur apiinging fciwar I en the 
lore-castle, also despatched the two sentinels who stood there. — • 
There were but fourteen Turks on deck, and those of them who 
did not jump overb :!ard were soon killed. The rest were below in 
their berths, and were prevented from coming on deck, by guards 
being stationed at the hatchways. The fire-works were then hoist- 
ed on deck, the heads of the casks stove in, and the liquid poured- 
down the different hatchways and on the deck. A match was thea 
applied, and in a moment the deck Avas one sheet of flame. The 
I'oarding party immediately jumped into tlieir boat and shoved elf,' 
no accident having befallen them. They had not proceeded more- 
than a mile, before the Philadelphia blew up. It is supposed by 
many, that some of the Turks must have applied fire to the maga- 
zine, as the fire from the spirits could not hardly have reached it so 
soon, the explosion having taken place within fif-een minutes frcm 
the time the vessel was fired. The guns were all loaded, and w^nt 
off from the intensity of the he t, before the explosion. She was- 
lying broadside to the city, and the shot did some execution. One- 
ball sir: ck the Bashaw's palace, considerably (iamaging it.. The^ 
number of Turks on board the Ph'lalel;>hia, was about nine hundred,, 
only ah )i t sixty or seventy of whom wei-e saved. 

On rising the next moming, the Bashaw was struck with nma?e. 
ment. He knew not how to retaliate, except by p:jtting his piison- 
ers to death; and this, it afterward appeared, he dared not do. 

We heard the guns and rxjitsion fro^i* our prison, but did not 
know the cause. We suppofced, however, that an attnck had b en 
ma ie on the city, and '^hat seme vessel had been Mown up. The 
next moininji' we were let out of our prison as usual to receive ( iir 
breakfast, dinner and supper at one an I the s?me rnc al, and covild 
easily perceive by the increased harshness used towards us, that 
something had gone wrong with the Turks. 

About 8 or 9 o'clock the next morning, we were brought out and 
siezed up to be burnt! Shirts made of coarse hemp cloth, and well 
saturated with melted br'mstone, had been provided for each man.— 
These shirts were so stifi, that they would readily stand up when 
placed on the ground. We were kept siezed up until about 4 o'cl'k 
in the afternoon, exper ting exery moment that fire would be applied 
to our combustible garments. Bat our lives were saved by the Com- 
mander. He threatened that if we were hilled, he would not spare 
a life in the city — that all, high and low, old and young, should feel 
the retributive vengeance of the Americans. We were accordingly 
released, and conducted back to prison again. During the remain- 
der of the term of our captivity, it was easy to see that we were 



21 

treated with much more rigor, if possible, than before the destruc- 
tion of the Phiiadelpbia, A few days after that event, as I was 
drawing as hard as ustial at the cart, one of the drivers gave me a 
blow ever the shoulder that set quite too snugly for comfort. Myfrock 
ehi't being wet with Er»veat, and closely adhering to my back, the 
blowwoiiid hardly have injured me less, had my back been bare. In the 
rage of the moment, I gave him a blow with my fist under his ear, 
that brought him upon the sand. He got up, and rubbing his head, 
muttered some threat that I did not understand. The next night, 
however, I had a very siriking translation of the Turk's threat. — 
After being ironed dov.m, I received one hundred and eighty-two 
lyghes on the bottom of my feet? The next morning, there were 
biocdblisters en my feet as large as the palm of my hand; and in 
this condition I was obliged to resume my work in the hot sand, 
bare-footed! On another occasion, one of my comrades received 
three hundred lashes for the same offense. So much for Turkish 
mercy ! 



CHAP. vni. 

A FormidaMo Attack upon Tripoli — Savi^rt? Fi2'uin? — Gallant Behanor of somo of the 
Ain:!iican Officers — Death of James Diicatur — Capture of three of the Enemy's 
Vessels. 

To enable the reader to form an idea of the sanguinary nature of 
some of the engagf-ments between the Americans and the Turks, I 
shall devote a chapter or two to as TuU an account of three of the 
principal of those engagements, as the limits of this work will ad- 
mit. For a detailed account of the^e and the other engagemfnts 
before Tripoli, the reader is referred to the Naval Hi-rtory of Mr. 
Cooper, to whom I am mainly indepted for the accounts as here given. 

In the latter part of July, 1804, feeling the necessity of more 
vigorous measures than had previously been used. Commodore Preble 
res dved upon making a formidable attack upon the city. He assem- 
bled his whole force on the 2.5tii of that month, and found it to con- 
sist of filteen vessels, of diiferent classes, mounting twenty-eight 
heavy bong gims, and about twenty lighter ones, all of which might 
be brought to play upon the batteries of the enemy simultaneously. 
The sq;?adron was manned by one thousand and sixty persons, all 
tcld. The T'irks had one hundred 'and fifteen guns in battery; and 
n'nnteen gnn-boats two large galleys, two schooners, and a brig, 
all of which were well armnd and manned — beside a host of smaller 
b;)ats. Their disposable force his bes^n estimated at twentv-five 
thousand — 'n ether words, absnt twentj^-fiv? t^ one a?a:n t the 
A'.u'^rirnnsl 

On the 3d of August, the squadron ran^in and got within a league 



20 

of the town, with a pleasant breeze to the eastward. The enemy's 
gun-bo: ts and galleys had come outside the rocks, and were lying 
there in two divisions; one near the eastern, and the other near the 
western entrance, or about half a mile apart. At the same time it 
■was soen that all the batteries were manned, as if an attack was not 
only expected, but invited. 

At half past 12, the Constitution wore with her head off shore, 
and showed a signal for all vessels to come within hail. As he came 
up, each commander was ordered to prepare to attack the shipping 
and batteries. The bomb-vessels and gun-boats were immediately 
manned, and such w^as the high state of discipline in the squadron, 
that in one hour, every thing was ready for the contemplated service. 

On this occasion. Commodore Preble made the following distribu- 
tion of that part of his force, which was manned from the other ves- 
sels of his squadron : 

One bomb-ketch was commanded by Lieutenant Commandant Dent 
of the Scourge. 

The other bomb-ketch was commanded by Mr. Robinson, first 
lieutenant of the Constitution. 

First Division of gun-boats — No. 1, Lieut. Com. Somers, of the 
Nautilus; I^o. 2, Lieut. James Decatur, of the Nautilus; No. 3, 
Lieut. Blake, of the Argus. 

Second Division of gun-boats. — No. 4, Lieut. Com. Decatur, of 
the Enterprise; No. 5, Lieut. Brainbridge, of the Enterprise; No. 
6, Lieut. Trippe, of the Vixen. 

At half-past one, the Constitution wore again, and stood toward 
the town. At two, the gun-boats were cast off, and formed in ad- 
vance, covered by the brigs and schooners, and half an hour later 
the signal was shown to engage. The attack was commenced by 
the two bombards, which began to throw shells into the town. It 
was followed by the batteries, which were instantly in a blaze, and 
then the shipping on both sides opened their fire, within reach of grape. 

The eastern, or most weatherly division of the enemy's gun-boats, 
nine in number, as being least supported, was the aim of the Amer- 
ican gun-boats. But the bad qualities of the latter craft were quick- 
ly apparent, for, as soon as Mr. Decatur st ercd towai-ds the enemy, 
"with an intention to come to close quarters, the division of Mr. So- 
me! s, which was a little to the leeward, found it difficult to sustain 
him. Every effort was made by the latter officer, to get far enough 
to the windward to join in the attack ; but finding it impracticable, 
he bore up, and ran down alone on five of the enemy to the leeward, 
and engaged them all, within pistol shot, throwing showers of grape, 
canister, and musket-balls, among them. In order to do tins, as 
soon as near enough, the swepps were got out, and the boat was 
backed astern to prevent her from drifting in among the enemy.-.- 
No. 3 was closing fast, but a signal of recall (bent by mistake) be- 
ing shown from the Constitution, she hauled out of the line to obey, 



23 

and loosing ground, she kept more aloof, firing at the boats and ship- 
ing in the harbor; while No. 2, Mr. James Decatur, was enabled to 
join the division to the windward. No. 5, Mr. Brainbridge, lost her 
latine-yard, while still in tow of the Siren, but, though unable to 
close, she continued advancing, keeping up a heavy fire, and finally 
touched on the rocks. 

By these changes. Lieutenant Commandant Decatur (who 'was 
actually a captain at the time, though his promotion was not known 
in the squadron,) had three boats that dashed forward with him, 
though one belonged to the division of Mr. Somers, viz. No. 4, No. 
6, and No. 2. The officers in command of these three b^ats, went 
steadily on until within the smoke of the enemy. Here they deliv- 
ered their fire, throwing in a terrible discharge of grape and musket 
balls, and the order was given to board. Up to this moment, the 
odds had been as three to one against the assailants; and it was now, 
if possible, increased. The brigs and schooners could no longer ds- 
sist. The Turkish boats were not only the heaviest and best in ev- 
ery sense, but they were much the strongest manned. The combat 
now assumed a character of chivalrous prowess and of desperate 
personal efforts, that belongs to the middle ages, rather than to 
struggles of our own times. Its details, indeed, savor more of the 
glow of romance, than of the sober severity we are accustomed to 
associate with reality. 

Lieutenant Commandant Decatur took the lead. He had no soon- 
er discharged his shower of musket balls than No. 4 was laid along- 
side the opposing boat of the enemy, and he went into her followed 
by Lieut. Thorn, Mr. McDonough, and all the Americans of his 
crew. The Tripolitan boat was divided nearly in two parts, by a 
long open hatchway, and as the people of No. 4 came in on one 
side, the Turks retreated to the other, making a sort of ditch of the 
open space. This caused an instant of delay, and, perhaps, fortu- 
nately, for it permitted the assailants to act together. As soon as 
ready, Mr. Decatur charged round each end of the hatchway, and 
after a short struggle, a portion of the Turks were piked and bayon- 
eted, while the rest submitted, or leaped into the water. 

No sooner had Mr. Decatur got possession of the boat first assail- 
ed, than he took her in tow, and bore down on the one next to lee- 
ward. Running the enemy aboard, as before, he went into him, 
with most of his officers and men. The captain of the Tripolitan 
vessel was a large powerful man, and Mr. Decatur personally charg- 
ed him with a pike. The weapon, however, was siezed by the Turk, 
wrested from the hands of the assailant, and turned against its own- 
er. The latter parried a thrust, made a blow with his sword at the 
pike, with a view to cut oflT its head. The sword hit the iron, and 
broke at the hilt, and the next instant the Turk made another thrust. 
Nothing was left to the gallant Decatur, but his arm, with which 
he so far averted the blow, as to receive the pike through the flesh 



of one breast. Pushing the iron from the wound, by tearing the 
flesh, he sprung within the weapon, and grappled his antagonist. — 
The pike fell between the two, and a short trial of strength succeed- 
ed, in which the Turk prevailed. As the combatants fell, however, 
Mr. Decatur so far released himself as to lie side by side with his 
foe on the deck. The Tripolitan now endeavored to reach his poin- 
ard, while his hand was firmly held by that of his enemy. At this 
critical instant, when life or death depended on a moment well em- 
ployed, or a moment lost, Mr. Decatur drew a small pistol from his 
vest, passed the arm that was free around the body of the Turk, 
pointed the muzzle in and fired. The ball passed entirely through 
the body of the Mussulman, and lodged in the clothes of the foe. — 
At the same instant, Mr. Decatur felt the grasp that had almost 
smothered him relax, and he was liberated. He sprang up, and the 
Tripolitan lay dead at his feet. 

In such a melee it cannot be supposed that the struggle of the two 
leaders would go unnoticed. An enemy raised his sabre to cleave 
the skull of Mr. Decatur, while he was occupied by the enemy, and 
a younff man of the Enterprise's crew interposed an arm to save 
him. The blow was intercepted, but the limb was severed to a bit 
of skin. A fresh rush was now made upon the enemy, who was 
overcome without much further resistance. 

An idea of the desperate nature of the fighting that distinguished 
this remarkable assault, may be gained from the amount of the loss. 
The two boats captured by Lieutenant Commandant Decatur, had 
about eighty men in them, of whom fifty-two are known to have 
been killed and wounded; most of the latter very badly. As only 
eight prisoners were made who were not wounded, and many jump- 
ed overboard and swam to the rocks, it is not improbable that the 
Turks suflfered still more severely. Lieutenant Commandant Deca- 
tur himself being wounded, he secured his second prize, and hauled 
oflT to rejoin the squadron; all the rest of the enemy's division that 
were not taken, having by this time run into the harbor, by passing 
through the openings between the rocks. 

while Lieutenant Commandant Decatur was thus employed to 
windward, his brother, Mr. James Decatur, the first lieutenant of 
the Nautilus, was nobly emulating his example in No. 2. Reserv- 
ing his fire, like No. 4, this young officer dashed into the smoke, and 
was on the point of boarding, when he received a musket ball in his 
forehead. The boats met and rebounded; and in the confusion of 
the death of the commanding officer of No. 2, the Turks were ena- 
bled to escape under a heavy fire from the American. It was said, 
at I he time, that the enemy had struck before Mr. Decatur fell, 
though the fact must remain in doubt. It is, however, believed 
that he Pti: tr>,ired a verv severe I'lss. 

In the mean time, Mr. Trippe, in No. 6, the last of the three 
boats that was able to reach the weather division, was not idle.— 



25 

Reserving his fire, like the others, he delivered it with deadly effect 
when closing-, and went on board of his enemy in the smokR. In 
this instance, the bji«ts also separated by the shock of the collision, 
leaving- Mr. Trippe, with Mr. J, D. Henley, and nine men only, on 
board of the Tripolitan, Here, too, the commanders sinj^led each 
other out, and a severe personal combat occurred, Avhile the work 
of death was going on around them. The Turk was young, and of 
a large athletic form, and he soon compelled his slighter, but more 
active foe to fight with caution. Advancing on Mr. Trijifjjp, he 
would strike a blow and receive a thrust in return. In this manner, 
he gave the American commander no less than eight sabre wounds 
in the head, and two in the breast; when making a sudden rush he 
struck a ninth blow on the head, which brought Mr. Trippe upon a 
knee. Rallying all his force in a desperate effort, the latter, who 
still retained the short pike with which he fought, made a thrust 
that passed Ihe weapon through his gigantic adversary, and tumbled 
him on his back. As soon as the Tripolitan officer fell, the remain- 
der of his people submitted. The boat taken by Mr, Trippe, was 
one of the largest belonging to the Bashaw. The number of her 
men is not positively known, but, living and dead, thirty-six were 
found in her, of whom twenty-one were either killed or wounded. — 
When it is remembered but eleven Americans boarded her, the 
achie\cment must pass for one of the most gallant on record. 

Al! this tmie the cannonade and bombardment continued without 
ceasing. Lieutenant Commandant Siomer?, in No. 1, sustained by 
the brigs and schooners, "had forced the remaining boats to retreat, 
and this resolute officer pressed them so hard as to be compelled to 
ware within a short distance of a battery of twelve guns, quite near 
the mole. Her dcstniction f-eemed inevitable, as the boat came 
slowly roiind, when a shell fell into the battery, most opportunely 
blew up ihe platform, and drove the enemy out to a man. Before 
the guns could be again used, the boat had got in tow of one of the 
Bn-all vessels. 

'I here was a division of five boats and two galley? of the enemy, 
that had been held in reserve within the rocks, and these rallied 
their retreating countrymen, aud made two efforts to come out and 
intercept the Americans and their prizes, but they were kept in 
check by the fire of the frigate and small vessels. The Constitution 
maintained a heavy fire, silenced several batteries, though they re-o- 
pcned as soon as she had passed. The bombiirds were covered with 
the pprav of shot, but continued to throw shells to the last. 

At half past four, the wind coming round to the northward, signal 
was made for the gun-boats and bomb ketches to rejoin the small 
vessrls, and another to take thrm Pnd their prizes in tow. Tl'elast 
CT-!'"'- WPS Iv-indfn;' !v rxerrtrd b\ tbr b'ips nrd sfhoonfiF. imder 
cover of a hhj;e of fiic from the fiigate A quarter of an hour later, 
the Constitution herself hauled off and ran out of gun-sbot. 



20 

Thus terminated the first serious attack that was made on the 
town and batteries of Tripoli. Its effect upon the enemy was of the 
most salutary kind; the manner in which their gun-boats had been 
taken, by boarding, having made a lasting and deep impression. — 
The superiority of the Christians in gunnery, was generally admit- 
ted before; but here was an instance in which the Turks had been 
overcome by inferior numbers, hand to hand, a species of conflict in 
which they had been thought particularly to excel. Perhaps no in- 
stance of more desperate fighting of the sort, without defensive ar- 
mour, is to be found in the pages of history. Three gun-boats were 
sunk in the harbor, in addition to the three that were taken, and 
the loss of the Tripolitans by shot, must have been very heavy. — 
About fifty shells were thrown into the town, but little damage ap- 
pears to have been done in this way, very few of the bombs, on ac- 
count of the imperfect materials that had been furnished, exploding. 
The batteries were a good deal damaged, but the town suffered no 
material injury. 

On the part of the Americans, only fourteen were killed and 
wounded in the affair; and all of these, with the exception of one 
man, belonged to the gun-boats. The Constitution, though under 
fire two hours, escaped much better than could have been expected. 
She received one heavy shot through her main-mast, had a quarter- 
deck gun injured, and was a good deal cut up aloft. The enemy 
had calculated his range for a more distant cannonade, and generally 
overshot the ships. By this mistake the Constitution had her main 
royal yard shot away. 

On the occasion of the battle of the 3d of August, the officers 
who had opportunities of particularly distinguishing themselves, 
were Lieutenants Commandant Decatur, and Sorners; Lieutenants 
Trippe, Decatur, Brainbridge, and Thorn, and Messrs. M'Do- 
nough, Henley, Ridgley, and Miller. But the whole squadron 
behaved well. 



CHAP. IX. 

Another Attack upon Tripoli — Mode of Defense changed by the Enemy — Execution of 
the guns of the Constitution. 

On the 28th of August, Commodore Preble determined upon ma- 
king another assault upon the town and batteries, and made prepar- 
ations accordingly. The gun-boats and bombards requiring so many 
men to manage them, the Constitution and the small vessels had 
been compelled to go into action short of hands, in the previous af- 
fairs. To obviate this difficulty, the John Adan)s had been kept be- 
fore the town, and a portion of her officers and crew, and nearly all 
her boats were put in requisition, on the present occasion. Capt. 



27 

Chauncy himself, with abcut seventy of his people, went on board 
the flag ship, and all the boats of the squadron were hoisted out and 
manned. The bombard?; were crippled and could not be brought in- 
to service, a circumstance that was probably of no great consequence, 
on account of the badness of the materials they were compelled to 
use. These two vessels, with the Scourge, transports, and John 
Adams, were anchored well off at sea, as not being available in the 
contemplated cannonading. 

Everything being prepared, a little after midnight the following 
gun-boats proceeded to their stations, viz: No, 1, Capt. Somers; 
No. 2, Lieut. Gordon; No. 3, Mr. Brooks, master of the Argus; 
No. 4, Capt. Decatur ; No. 5, Lieut. Lawrence ; No. 6, Lieut. 
Wadsworth; No. 7, Lieut. Crane; and No. 9, Lieut. Thorn. — 
They were divided into two divisions, as before, Capt. Decatur hav- 
ing become the superior officer, however, by his recent promotion. 
About 3 A. M., the gun-boats advanced close to the rocks at the 
entrance of the harbor, covered by the Siren, Capt. Stewart, Argus, 
Capt. Hull, Vixen, Capt. Smith, Nautilus, Lieut. Reed, and Enter- 
prise, Lieutenant Com. Robinson, and accompanied by all the boats 
of the squadron. Here they anchored, with springs on their cables, 
and commenced a heavy fire on the enemy's shipping, castle and 
town. As soon as the day dawned, the Constitution weighed and 
stood in towards the rocks, under a heavy fire from the batteries, 
Fort English, and the castle. At this time, the enemy's gun-boats 
and galleys, thirteen in number, were closely and warmly engaged 
with the eight American boats; and the Constitution, ordering the 
latter to retire by signal, as their ammunition was mostly consum- 
ed, delivered a heavy fire of round and grape on the former as she 
came up. One of the enemy's boats was soon sunk, two were run 
ashore to prevent them from sinking-, and the rest retreated. 

The Constitution now continued to stand on, until she had run in 
within musket shot of the mole, when she brought to, and opened 
upon the town, batteries and castle. Here she lay three quarters 
of an hour, pouring in a fierce fire with great effect, until finding 
that all the small vessels were out of gun-shot, she hauled off. A- 
bout 700 heavy shot were hove at the enemy in this attack, beside a 
good many from the chase-guns of the small vessels. The enemy 
sustained much damage and lost many men. The American brigs 
and schooners were a good deal injured aloft, as was the Constitution. 
Although the latter ship was so long within reach of grape, many 
of which struck her, she had not a man hurt! Several of her 
shrouds, back-stays, trussess, spring-stays, chains, lifts, and a great 
deal of running rigging were shot away, and yet her hull escaped 
with very trifling injuries. A boat belonging to the John Adams, 
under the orders of Mr. John Orde Creighton, one of that ship's 
master's mates, was sunk by a double-headed shot, which killed 
three men, and badly wounded a fourth, but the officers and the rest 
of the boat's crew were saved. 



28 

In this attack a heavy shot from the American gun-boats ptruck 
the castle, paseed throiig-h a wall, and rebound'ng from the opposite 
side cf the room, fell within ffix inches of Com. Brainbridpc, who 
was in bed at the moment, end covered him with stones and mortar, 
from under which he was tak^n, considerably hurt, by his own offi- 
cers. More injury was done the town in this attack, than in either 
of the others, the shot appealing to have told en many of the houfcs. 

From this time to the close of the month, preparations were ma- 
king to use the bombards again, and for renewing the cannonading, 
another transpc t having arrived from Malta, without bringing any 
intelligence of the vessels under the orders of Com. Baron. O the 
3d of September, everything being read}', at half past two the sig- 
nal was made for the small vessels to advance. The enemy had 
improved the time as well as the American?, and they hnd raised 
three of their own gun-boats that had been sunk in the affairs 
of the 3d and^ of the 28th of August. These craft were now 
added to the rest of their flotilla. 

The Trijjolitans had also changed their mode of fighting. Hith- 
to, with the exception of the affair of the 3d, their galleys or gun- 
boats had lain either behind the rocks in positions to fire over the m, 
or at the openmgs between them, and they consequently found 
themselves to leeward of the frigate and small American cruisers, 
the latter invariably choosing easterly winds to advance with, as 
they would permit crippled vessels to retire. On the 3d of August, 
the case excepted, the Turks had been so roughly treated by being 
brought hand to hand, when they evidently expected nothing more 
than a cannonade,that they were not disposed to venture again outside 
of t'le harbor. On the 3d of Seplf mber, however, the day at which 
w'p have now arrived, their plan cf defense was judiciously altered. 
No sooner was it perceived that the American squadron was in mo- 
tion, 'vith a fresh design to annoy them, than their gun-hoatp and 
galleys got under way, and worked up to windward, until they had 
gained a station on the weather side of the harbor, directly under 
fire cf Fort English, as well as of a new battery that had been erec- 
ted a little to the westward of the latter. 

This disposition of the enemy's force, required a corresponding 
change on the part of the Americans. The bombards were directed 
to take stations, and to commence throwing their shells, while the 
gun-boats, in two divisions, commanded as usual, by Capts. Deca- 
tur and Somers, and covered by the brigs and schooners, assailed 
the enemv's flotilla. This arrangement separated the battle into 
two distinct parts; leaving the bomb-vessels very mucn exposed to 
the fire of the castle, the mrl*', crown, and other batteries. 

The Tripol tan gun-boats rnd galleys, stood the fire of the Amer- 
irfin flotilla, until the letter h;(d got within rrorh of thf muFhrtry, 
vv'hen they retreated. The a<-sailar.ts i!uw separate.', some cf the 
gun-boats following the enemy, and pouring in their galling fire, while 



29 

others, with the brigs aud schooners, cannonaded Fort English. 

In the meanwhile, perceiving that the bombards were siiflering 
scv relv from r 'c un j'sturba i tiro t) w'lich they were expuseJ, Cj'u- 
m idure Pre„le ran down in the Cunatitution, qait'^ near th;^ lucks, 
and Within the boiub-vesseis, an 1 br .'ujrht-to. Here the fiigate 
open^jd as warm a fire as probably ever came out of the broad-side of 
a single-decked ship, and in a position where seventy heavy guna 
could bear upon her. The whole harbor in the vicinity of the town 
was glittering with the spray of her shot, and each battery, as usu- 
al, was silenced as soon as it drew her attention. After throwing 
more than three hundred round shot, beside grape and canistar, the 
frigate hauled ofT, having previously ordered the other vessel.^; to re- 
tiic from action, by signal. 

The gun-boats, in ths afla'r, were aahour and fifteen minutes in 
action, in which they threw four hundred round shot, beside g-ape 
an I canister. Lieut. Trippe,. who ha 1 so much distinguished him- 
self, and who had received so many wounds that day month, resum- 
ed the command of No. G, for this occasion. Lieutenant Morris,. 
of the Argus, was in charge of No. 3. All the small vessels, as 
usual, suffered aloft, and the Argus sustained some damage in 
her hull. 

The Constitution was so much evpo-^ed in the attack just related, 
that the escape can only be attributed to the weight of her own fire. 
It had been found, in the previous affairs, that so long as this ship, 
could pliy upon a battery, the Tu; ks could not be k'-pt at their guns; 
and it was chiefly while she was veering or tacking 1*hut who suffer- 
ed. But, after making every alljwance for the effect of her own 
cannonade, an 1 i'or the im perfect gunnery of the enemy, it creates 
won ler that a i^ingle frigate cjuI I l-'e opposed to more th in double 
her own number of available guns, and these, too, prmcipally, of 
heavier metal, wliile tbey were protected by stone walls. On this 
occasion, the frigate was nut supported by the g(m-boat-; at all, and 
she became the sole object of the enemy's aim, after the bombards 
had with Irawn. 

As might have been expected, the Constit\ition suffered more in 
the attack just recorded, than in any of the previous affairs, though, 
she received niithing larger than grap^ in her hull. She ha I three 
shells through h'-r canvass, one of which ren lered the main-top-sai^ 
momentarily useless. Her saiK st.an ling and running-riirging, were 
also much cut with shot. Capt. Chauncy, of the John Alam^--, and 
a party of his officers and crew, served in the Constitution again, on 
this day, and were of essential use. Indeed, in all the service which 
succeeded her arrival, the commander, officers, and crew, of the 
John Adan>6 were actively employed, thoujrh the ship herself could 
not be broug-ht before the enemy, for the want of gun carriages. 

The bombards having been much exposed, suffered accordingly. 
No. 1, was 80 much crippled, as to be unable to move, without be- 



30 

iiig towed, and was near sinking when she was got to the anchor- 
age. Every shroud she had was shot" away. Commodore Preble 
expressed himself satisfied with the good conduct of every man in 
the squadron. All the vessels appear to have been well condi;cted, 
and efficient in their several stations. Of the etiect of the shells, 
there is no account to be relied on, though it is probable, that as 
usual, many did not explode. There is no doubt, however, that 
the bombs were wel! directed, and that they fell into the town. 

While Com. Preble was thus actively employed in carrying on the 
war against the enemy, the attack just related, having been the 
fifth made on the town within a month, he was meditating another 
species of annoyance, that about this time was nearly ready to be put 
in execution. 



CHAP. X. 

The Ketch Intrepid — Preparations for her Attack upon the Enemy's Shipping — Her 
Explosion — Probable Causes of the Disaster. 

The account of the attempt of Lieutenant Somers and his gallant 
crew, to send the Intrepid into the harbor of Tripoli, to explode a- 
mong the enemy's cruisers, cannot fail to prove ol thrilling, though 
painful interest to every reader. Full particulars are here subjoined: 

The ketch Intrepid, which had been employed by Mr. Decatur in 
burning the Philadelphia, was still in the squadron, having been used 
of late as a transport between Tripoli and Malta. This vessel had 
been converted into an '•' infernal," or, to use more intelligible terms, 
she had been fitted as a floating mine, with the intention of sending 
her into the harbor of Tripoli, to explode among the enemy's cruis- 
ers. As every thing connected with the history of this little ves- 
sel, as well as with the enterprise in which she was about to be em- 
ployed, will have interest with the public, we shall be more particu- 
lar than common in giving the details of this affair, as they have 
reached us through public documents, and oral testimony that is 
deemed worthy of entire credit. 

A small room or magazine had been planked up in the hold of the 
ketch, just forward of her principal mast. Communicating with 
this magazine was a trunk or tube, that led aft to another room, fill- 
ed with combustibles. In the plankc;] room or magazine, were 
placed one hundred barrels of gun-powder in bulk, and on the deck 
immediately above the powder, were laid fifty thirteen and a half 
inch shells, and one hundred nine inch shells, with a large quantity 
of shot, pieces of kentledge, and fragments of iron of dificrcnt 
sorts. A train was laid in the trunk or tube, and fuses were attach- 
ed in the proper manner. In addition to this arrangement, the other 



31 

small room mentioned was filled with splinters and light wood, which, 
beside firing the train, were to keep the enemy from boarding, as 
the flames would be apt to induce them to apprehend an immediate 
explosion. 

The plan was well laid. It was the intention to profit by the first 
dark night that offered, to carry the ketch as far as possible into the 
galley-mole, to light the fire in the splinter-room, and for the men 
employed to make their retreat in boats. 

The arrangemsent for carrying this project into effect appear to 
have been made with care and prudence. Still the duty, on every 
account, was deemed desperate. It was necessary, in the first place, 
to stand in by the western or little passage, in a dull-sail ng vessel, 
and with a light wind, directly in the face of several batteries, the 
fire of which could only be escaped by the enemy's mistaking the 
ketch for a vessel endeavoring to force the blockade. It would also 
be required to pass quite near these batteries, and, as the ketch ad- 
vanced, she would be running in among the gun-boats and galleys 
of the enemy. It is not necessary to point out the hazards of such 
an exploit, as a simple cannonade directed against a small vessel fill- 
ed with powder, would of itself be, in the last degree, dangerous. 
After every thing had succeeded to the perfect hopes of the assail- 
ants, there existed every necessity of effecting a retreat, the service 
being one in which no quarter could be expected. 

Such a duty could be confided to none but officers and men of 
known coolness and courage, of perfect self-possession, and tried 
spirit. Captain Somers, who had commanded one division of the 
gun-boats in the different attacks on the town that have been rela- 
ted, in a manner to excite the respect of all who had witnessed his 
conduct, volunteered to take charge of this enterprise; and Lieut. 
Wadsworth, of the Constitutign, and an officer of great merit, of- 
fered himself as the second in command. It being unnecessary to 
•send in any more than these two gentlemen, with a few men needed 
to manage the ketch and row the boats, no other officer was permit- 
ted to go, though it is understood that several volunteered. 

The night of the 4th of September, or that of the day which 
succeeded the attack last related, promising to be obscure, and there 
being a good leading wind from the eastward, it was selected for the 
purpose. Commodore Preble appears to have viewed the result of 
this expedition with great anxiety, and to have ordered all its pre- 
parations, with the utmost personal attention to the det-^ils. This 
feeling is believed to have been increased by his knowledge of the 
character of the officers who were to go in, and who, it was under- 
stood, had expressed a determination, neither to be taken, nor to 
permit the ammunition in the ketch to fall into the enemy's hands. 
The latter point was one of great importance, it being understood 
that the Tripolitans, like the Americans, were getting to be in v/ant 
of powder. In short, it was the general understanding in the squad- 



52 

ron, before the ketch proceeded, that her officers had determinsd not 
to be taken. Two fast-rowing boats, one belonging' to the Consti- 
tution, that puHuJ t;ix uar.-, and one b longini; to the Siren, that 
pulbd lour oars, we.e choP^n to bring tho paty otf, and their crows 
wee voliinteeis from the Cunstilutiun and JVaut'liis. At the last 
moment, Mr. Israel, an ardent young officer, whose application to 
go in had bsen rejected, found means to get on board the ketch, and 
in consi leration of his gallantry, he was peimitted to join the party. 

When all was ready, or about 8 o'clock in the evening of the 
day just mentioned, the Intrepid was under way, with the Argus, 
Vixen, and Nautilus in company. Shortly after, the Siren also 
weighed, by a special order from the commodore, and stood in to- 
wards the western passage, or that by which the kecth was to en- 
ter, where she remained to look out for tho boats. 

The Nautilus, Capt. Soraers' own vessel, accompanied the ketch 
close in, but on reaching a position where there was danger of her 
creating suspicions, by being seen, she hauled off, to take her station, 
like the other small vessels, near the rocks, in order to pick up the 
retreating boats. The last person of the sq'iadron who had any 
communication with Capt. Somers, wa.^ Mr. Washington Reed, the 
first Lieutenant of his own schooner, the Nautilus, who left him a- 
bout 9 o'clock. At that time, all was calm, collected, and in or- 
der, on board the " infernal." The general uneasin-^ss was increas- 
ed by the circum-tance that three gun-boats lay near the entrance; 
and si me of the ia-t words of the experienced D^catu"", before ta- 
king leave of his friend, were to ca\it on him against these enemies. 

The sea was covered with a dense haze, though the stirs were 
V's ble, and the last that may be sai I to have been seen of the In- 
trepid, was the shadowy forms of her canvass, as she steered slowly, 
but steadily, into the obscurity, where the eyes of the many anx- 
ious spectatirs fancied thev cuidi still trace her dim outline, most 
probably after it had totally disappeared. This sinking into the 
gloom of night, was no ba 1 image of the impenetrable mystery 
that has velod the subsequent proceedings of the gallant party that 
was on board of her. 

When the Intrepid was last s-seu by the naked eye, she was not a 
musket-shot from the mole, standing directly f ir the harbor. One 
officer on board the nearest vessel, the Nautilus, is said, however, 
to have n^ver lost sight of her with the night-glass: but even he 
could distinguish no more than her dim proportions. There is a 
vague rumor that she touched on the rocks, though it does not ap- 
pear to rest on sufficient authority to be entitled to m.ich credit. — 
To the last moment she appears to have been advancing. About 
this time the batteries began to fire. Their shot are said to have 
been directed towards every point where an enemy might be expec- 
ted, and it is not improbable some were aimed at the ketch. 



33 

The period between the time when the Intrepid was last seen, and 
that when most of those who watched without the rocks, learned 
her fate, was not long. -This was an interval of intense, almost 
breathless expectation; and it was interrupted only by the flashes 
and the roar of the enemy's guns. Various reports exist of what 
those who gazed into the gloom beheld, or fancied they beheld; but 
one melancholly fact alone would seem to be beyond contradiction. 
A fierce and sudden light illuminated the panorama, a torrent of fire 
streamed upward, and a concussion followed that made the cruisers 
in the offing tremble from their trucks to their keels. This sudden 
blaze of light was followed by a darkness of two-fold intensity, and 
the guns of the battery became mute, as if annihilated. Numerous 
shells were seen in the air, and some of them descended on the 
rocks, where they were heard to fall. The fases were burning, 
and a few exploded, but much the greater part were extinguished in 
the water. The mast, too, had risen perpendicularly, with its rig- 
ging and canvass blazing, but the descent veiled all in night. 

So sudden and tremendous was the eruption, and so intense the 
darkness which succeeded, that it was not possible to ascertain the 
precise position of the ketch at the moment. In the glaring but 
fleeting light, no person could say that he had noted more tnan the 
material circumstance, that the Intrepid had not reached the point at 
which she aimed. The shells had not spread far, and those which 
fell on the rocks were so many proofs of this important truth.— 
There was no other fact to indicate the precise spot where the ketch 
exploded. A few cries arose from the town, but the subsequent 
and deep silence that followed was more eloquent than any clamor. 
The whole of Tripoli was like a city of tombs. 

If every eye had been watchful previous to the explosion, every 
eye now became doubly vtgilant to discover the retreating boats. — 
Men got over the sides of Ihe vessels, holding lights, and placing 
their ears near' the water, in the hopes of detecting the sounds of 
even muflled oars; and often was it fancied that the gallant adven- 
turers were near. They never re-appeared. Hour after hour went 
by, until hope itself became exhausted. Occasionally a rocket 
gleamed in the darkness, or a sullen gun was heard from the frigate 
as signals to the boats; but the eyes that should have seen the first, 
were sightless, and the last tolled on the ears of the dead. 

The three vessels assigned to that service hovered around the har- 
bor until the sun rose; but few traces of the Intrepid, and nothing 
of her devoted crew, could be discovered. The wreck of the mast lay 
on the rocks near the western entrance, and here and there a fragment 
was visible nigh it. One of the largest of the enemy's gun-boats 
was missing, and it was observed that two others, which appeared 
to be shattered, were being hauled upon the shore. The three that 
had lain across the entrance had disappeared. It was erroneonsly 
thought that the castle had sustained some injury from the concuss- 

3 



34 

ion, though, on the whole, the Americans were left with the mel- 
ancholy certainty of having met with serious loss, without obtaining 
a commensurate advantage. 

It is known that the bottom of the ketch grounded on the north 
side of tiie rock, near the round battery at the end of the mole; — 
and as the wind was at the eastward, this renders it certain that the 
explosion took place in the western entrance to the harbor, and ful- 
ly a quarter of a mile from the spot that it was intended the ketch 
should reach. In the wreck were found two mangled bodies, and 
four more were picked up on the 6th, floating in the harbor, or 
lodged on the shore. These bodies were in the most shocking state 
of mutilation, and though Commodore Brainbridge, and one or two 
of his companions were taken to see them, it was found impossible 
to distinguish even the officers from the men. It is understood that 
six more bodies were found, the day after the explosion, on the 
shore to the southward of the town, and that a six oared boat, with 
one body in it, had drifted on the beach to the westward. 

These statements account for all those who went in the ketch, 
and furnish conjectural clues to facts that would otherwise be veiled 
m impenetrable mystery. The spot where the boat was found, was 
a proof that the ketch had not got very far into the passage, or the 
cutter would not have drifted clear of the natural mole to the west- 
ward. The reason that the boat and the ketch's bottom were not 
found near the same spot, was probably because the first was acted 
on more by the wind, and the last by the current: and the fact that 
a boat may have drifted through rocks, with Vi^hich the shore is eve- 
ry where more or less lined, that would have brought up the wreck. 

As there was but one body found in the boat, we are left to sup- 
pose it was that of the keeper. Of the four oared boat, or that 
which belonged to the Siren, there does not appear to have been 
any tidings, and it was either destroyed by the explosion, sunk by 
the fall of fragments, or privately appropriated to himself by some 
Tripolitan. 

From the fact of there being but a single man in the Constiut- 
tion's cutter, there is reason to infer that most of the officers and 
men were on board the ketch, horself, when she blew up. No per- 
son is understood to say that any of the enemy's vessels were seen 
near the ketch, when she exploded, and, with these meager premi- 
ses, we are left to draw our inferences as to the causes of the 
disaster. 

That Capt. Somers was as capable of sacrificing himself, when 
there was an occasion for it, as any man who ever lived, is probably 
as true, as it is certain that he would not destroy himself, and much 
less others, without sufficient reason. It has been supposed that 
the ketch was boarded by the enemy, and that her resolute comman- 
der fired the train in preference to being taken. The spirit created 
hj the chivtdrous exploits of Decatur; and the high-toned dLscipIine 



35 

and daring of Preble, had communicated to all under their orders, 
as lofty sentiments of duty and zeal, as probably were ever found a- 
mong an equal body of generous and ardent young men; but it is 
not easy to discover a motive why the explosion should have been 
an intentional act of the Americans, and it is easy to discover many 
why it should not. 

There would be but one sufficient justification for an officer's sac- 
rificing himself or his people, under such circumstances; and that 
was the mipossibility of preventing the ketch from falling into the 
hands of the enemy, by any other means. Neither the evidence of 
eye-witnesses, so i'ar as it is available, nor the accounts of the Trip- 
olitans themselves, would appear to show", that when the Intrepid 
exploded, any enemy was near enough to render so desperate a step 
necessary. According to the private journal of Com. Brainbridge, 
neither the town nor the Turks suffered materially, and he was car- 
ried to the beach to see the dead bodies on the 8th, or two days af- 
ter the aflair. This alone would prove that the ketch did not reach 
the mole. If the object were merely to destroy the powder, the 
men would have been previously ordered into the boats, and, even 
under circumstances that rendered a resort to the fuse inexpedient, 
the train would have been used. That only one man was in the lar- 
gest boat, is known from the condition in which she was found, and 
this could hardly have happened, under any circumstances, had the 
magazine been fired intentionally, by means of the train. Every 
contingency, had, doubtless, been forseen. One man was as able 
as twenty to apply the match, and we can see but one state of things, 
beside being boarded by surprise, that would render it likely that the 
match would have been used until the people were in their boats, or 
that it would have been applied at any other spot, than at the end 
of the train, or aft, A surprise, of the nature mentioned, would 
seem to have been impossible; for though the night was misty, ob- 
jects m.ight still be seen at some little distance, and it is probable, 
also, that the party had glasses. 

Many little collateral circumstances appear to have occurred 
which may be thought to give force to the truth of the common im, 
pression. One of the best authenticated of these, is connected with 
what was seen from a vessel that was watching the ketch, though 
it was not the schooner nearest in. On board of this vessel a light 
was observed moving on a horzontal line, as if carried swiftly along 
a vessel's deck by some one in hurried motion, and then to drop 
suddenly, like a lantern sinking beneath a hatchway. Immediate- 
ly afterward the ketch exploded, and at that precise spot, which 
would seem to leave no doubt that this light was on board the 
Intrepid. 

In addition to this appearance of the light, which rests on testi-^ 
mony every way entitled to respect, there was a report brought off 
by the pris'snars, then in Tripoli, when liberated, from whi«h anotU= 



36 

er suppoiiition ins been formed as to the fate of this devoted vessel, 
that is not without some plausibility. It was said that most of the 
bodies found had received gun-shot wounds, especially from orape. 
One body, in particular, was described as having had the small re- 
mains of nankeen pan talc ons on it, and it was also reported that the 
hair was of a deep black. Through this person, according to the 
report, no less than three grape-shot had passed. This has been 
supposed to have been the body of Capt. Somers himself, who was 
the only one of the party that wore nankeen?, and v\-hose hair was 
of a deep black. On the supposition that the proof of the grape shot 
Avounds actually existed, it has been conjectured, that, as the ketch 
advanced, she was fired into with grape, most of her people shot 
down, and that the magazine was touched off by the two whose 
bodies were found in the wreck, and who were probably below when 
the Intrepid exploded. 

A satl and solem mystery, after sll cur conjectures, must forever 
veil the fate of those "fearless officers and their hardy follower.--. In 
whatever light we view the affair, they were the victims of that self 
devotion which causes the seaman and soldier to hold his life in his 
hand, when the honor or interest of his country demand the sacri- 
fice. The name of Somers has passed into a battle-cry, in the A- 
merican marine, while those of Wadsworth and Israel are associated 
with all that can ennoble intrepidity, coolness, and daring. 



CHAP. XI. 

Sailing of Gen. Eaton to Alexundiia — Co-oper.itiou of Hainet Cariimalii, in t'.ic Attnrk 
upon Denie — Success of llie attack — The American {'nliira, for ilie fii-t time, float- 
ing- from a Fortress in tlio Old World — Close of tlie TripoUtan Wiir. 

It is well known to the readers of naval history, that Commodore 
Earron succeeded Commodore Preble in the fall of 1804. Before 
his arrival, Mr. Eaton, the American Consul at Tunis, had well nigh 
matured a project for securing the aid of Hamet Caramalii, the right- 
ful Bashaw of Tripoli, in prosecuting the war again.-t his brother, 
Jessuf Caramalii, who had usurped the throne to which Hamet was 
justly entitled — the latter, after being thus deposed, having escaped 
from the regency, and taken refuge among the Mamelukes of Egypt. 

Two or three days after Commodore Barron had assumed the com- 
mand before Tripoli, ho sent the Argus, Capt. Hull, to Alexandria, 
with Mr. Eaton, where he arrived on the 26th of Noveirber. On 
the 29th, Mr. Eaton, accompanied by Lieut. O'Bannon, of the ma- 
rines, and Messrs. Mann and Danielson, two midshipmen of the 
squadron, proceeded to Rosetta, and thence to Cairo. The Viceroy 
of Egypt received them Avilh favor, and permission was obtained for 
the Prince of Tripoli to pass out of the country unmolested, though 



he had been fighting against the government, with the discontented 
Mamelukes. 

As soon as Hamst Caramalii received the proposals of Mr. Eaton, 
he separated himself from the M&melukes, attended by about forty 
followers, and repaired to a point twelve leagues to the westward of 
the old port of Alexandria. Here he was soon joined by Mr. Eaton, 
at the head of a small troop of adventurers, whom he had obtained 
in Egypt, This party was composed of all nations, though Mr. 
Eaton expressed his belief at the time, that had he possessed the 
means of subsistence, he might have marched a body of thirty thou- 
sand men against Tripoli, the reigning Bashaw having forced so 
many of his men into banishment. Soon after the junction agreed 
upon, Mr. Eaton, who now assumed the title of general, marched 
in the direction of Derne, taking the route across the desert of Bar- 
ca. This was early in 1805. 

The Ajgus had returned to Malta, for orders and stores, and on 
the '2d of April, she re-appeared off Bomba, with the Hornet 10, 
Lieutenant Commandant Evans, in company. Cruising on this 
coast a few days, without obtaining any mtelligence of Gen. Eaton 
and the Bashaw, Capt. Hull steered to the Avestward, and, a few 
leagues to the eastward of Derne, he fell in with the Nautilus, 
Lieutenant Commandant Dent. On commuuicating with this ves- 
sel, which was lying close in with the shore, Capt. Hull ascertain- 
ed that the expedition was on the coast, and that it waited only for 
arms and supplies that had been brought, to attack Derne, from 
which town it was but a league distant. A field-piece was landed, 
together with some stores and muskets, and a few marines appear 
to have been put under the orders of Mr. O'Bannon, of the corps, 
when the vessels took their station to aid in the attack. • 

It was 2 P. M., on the 27th of April, 1805, that this assault, so 
novel for Americans to be engaged in, in the other hemisphere, was 
commenced. The Hornet, Lieutenant Commandant Evans, having 
run close in, and anchored with springs on her cable?, within pistol 
shot of a battery of eight guns, opened her fire. The Nautilus lay 
a little distance to the eastward, and the Argus still further in the 
same direction, the two latter firing on the town and battery. In 
about an hour, the enemy were driven from the work, when all the 
vessels directed their guns at the beach, to clear the way for the 
advance of the parly on shore. The enemy made an irregular but 
spirited defense, keeping up a heavy fire of musketry, as the assail- 
ants advanced, from behind houses and walls. At half past 3, how- 
ever, Lieutenant O'Bannon and Mr. Mann stormed the principal 
work, hauling down the Tripolitan ensign, and for the first time in 
the history of the country,' hoisting that of the republic on a fort- 
ress of the old world. The enemy were driven cut of this work 
with so much precipitation, that they left its guns loaded, and even 
primed. The cannon were immediately turned upon the town, and 



39 

Hamet Caranialii Jiaviiig made a lodgement on the other side, so a.s 
to bring the enemy between two fires, the place submitted. At 4 
o'clock, the beats of the vessels landed, with ammunition for the 
guns and to bring off' the wounded; Derne being in complete pos- 
session of the assailants. 

In this alFair, only fourteen of the assailants were killed and 
wounded, Gen. Eaton being among the latter. The attack was 
made by about 1200 men, where the place was supposed to be de- 
fended by three or four thousand. One or two attempts were made 
by the Tripolitans, to regain possession, but th':'y were easily re- 
pulsed, and on one occasion, with some loss. The deposed Bashaw 
remained in possession of the town, and his authority was partially 
recognized in the province. Gen. Eaton now earnestly pressed 
Commodore Barron for further supplies and reinforcements, with a 
view to march on Tripoli; but they vi-'ere denied, on the ground that 
Hamet Caramalii was in possession of the second province of the 
regency, and if he had the influence he pretended (o possess, he 
ought to be able to effect his object by means of the ordinary co-op- 
eration of the squadron. Negociations for peace novv' commenced 
in earnest, Mr. Lear having arrived off Tripoli, for that purpose, in 
the Essex, Captain Barron. After the usual intrigues, delays, and 
prevarications, a treaty was signed on the 3d of June, 1805. By 
this treaty, no tribute was to be paid in future, but ^60,000 were 
given by America, for tae remaining prisoners, alter exchanging the 
Tripolitans in her power, man for man. 

Thus terminated the war with Tripoli, after an existence of four 
years. It is probable that the United States would have retained in 
service some officers, and would have kept up a small force, liad not 
this contest occurred; but its influence on the fortunes and charac- 
ter of the navy is incalculable. It saved the first, in a degree at 
least, and it may be said to have formed the last. 



CHAP. XII. 

Release of the Amei-ican Prisoners by the Tiuks—Tlioir reception nt Home— Visiting 
Friends— Preparations for another Voyage to the Mediterranean. 

Immediately after the signing of the treatv of peace, the Ameri- 
can prisoners were set at liberty, after having endured the most se- 
vere hardships for a little more than nineteen months. 

Sailing from Tripoli, we arrived at Syracuse in a few days, where 
we remained two or three weeks. We touched at Gibraltar, we al- 
so remained two or three weeks; sailed for America, after which we 
making the passage to the city of Washington in fift3'-seven days. 
Our arrival was welcomed by thousands of spectators; and as our 
feet touched the American soil, our shouts were as hearty as any 
that rose from that vast and happy throng. Our long beards and 



39 

Turkisli dress, which we liad not changed aince our liberation, at- 
tracted no small degree of attention. 

On the fifth day after our arrival, we all marched up to the White 
House, under command of Gen. Eaton, and took dinner with the 
President, Thos. Jefferson. There were four hundred and forty 
eight of us — our number, when captured, having been four hundred 
and fifty-two, and two having died, and two joined the Turks. We 
were escorted by about six hundred marines and several uniform 
companies. The number of spectators on this occasion, was com- 
puted at twenty-five thousand . That we were kindly received by 
the President, need not be added. A number of barbers had been 
employed by that gentleman to cut our hair and beards, this duty of 
our toilet having now been neglected for about twenty-three months. 
Each man was then provided, at the expense of the government, 
with a new suit of clothes, valued at sixty dollars, and each officer 
with a suit of uniform. We were paid off the same day, each man 
being allowed for the time he was a prisoner, and seven dollars per 
month for rations — after which, we were formally discharged from 
the service. 

The next day I started for New York, wishing to visit my family 
as soon as possible, from whom I had not heard dmi/jg my absence. 
Without hardly a moment's stop at New York, I proceeded to West- 
chester county, and found my wife in good health. During my ab- 
sence she had remained with the family in which I married her. — 
Our meeting was unexpected on her part, she having heard of our 
capture by the Turks, though not of our release, and supposing that 
we all had either died of our hardships, or been massacred by our 
captors. 

A short time after this, I purchased a house and lot, about four 
miles from the family of my wife's friends, and eighteen miles from 
New York. I paid seven hundred dollars for it, once more determin- 
ing to quit the sea. After remaining at home until the following 
spring, I obtained a situation at my old trade, in the Navy Yard, at 
New York — usually visiting my family at the close of each week. 
I left the Navy Yard in December, for the purpose of spending the 
winter under my own roof. 

Early the next month, (January 1807,) the entering of seamen 
commenced at New York, for the I'rigate Chesapeake, and the sloop 
of war Wasp, both of which vessels had been ordered to the Medit- 
erranean, to relieve the Constitution and Hornet, which had been 
lelt there to keep a look-out, on the ratification of peace with Trip- 
oli. Being in New York one da}', I fell in company with some of 
the officers of the Wasp, with whom I was acquainted, and was 
urged by them to accept the berth of carpenter on that vessel. Be- 
fore leaving the city, and, of course, before my intentions were 
known to my wife, I entered for two years. The Wasp was to take 
despatches to England, after which she was to join the Chesapeake 



40 

at Gibraltar, whence both vessels were to proceed to the Mediter- 
ranean. The first officers of the Wasp were John Smith, comman- 
der, and Messrs. McDonough, Downs, Page, and Henry, first, sec- 
ond, third and fourth lieutenants, 

I did not inform my wife that I had entered the Navy again, until 
a short time before I was to join the vessel, which was the first of 
April. I commenced furnishing her with provisions and fire-wood 
for a year; and these are what first excited her suspicions. She 
wished to know my object, and I was obliged to tell her what I had 
done. She was opposed to my going to sea again; but bj, telling 
her that we were at peace with all nations, and that there was nei- 
ther any prospect of fighting, nor danger of being taken by the 
Turks again, she very reluctantly yielded her assent. 

At that time we had a son about four months old. In order that 
my wife might not be left entirely without company or aid, I em- 
ployed a girl about ten years of age, to remain with her until my 
return , 

About the 10th of April, we were ordered to join our vessel at 
Washington, where she was built. She had never been to sea, and 
this was to be her first voyage. Leaving with my wife aboul three 
hundred dollars and a half-pay ticket, as before, I proceeded to Wash- 
ington, according to orders. 



CHAP. xin. 

Sailing for the Mediterranean — Capture of the Cliesapealie by the British Frigate Leop- 
ard — Arrival in the Mediterranean — Homeward lioiind — A Gale — Narrow Escapes — 
Arrival at Boston — Cruise off the American Coast until the yearlSIl. 

On the 21st of April, the Wasp dropped down the river to Nor- 
folk, Virginia, and after taking in her sea stores, weighed anchor 
for England on the 10th day of June. We got under way about 
two hours before the Chesapeake, and dropped down to Cape Henry 
— about eighteen miles, with a light breeze. We sailed along side 
the Leopard, of 60 guns, a British ship that was lying at anchor 
there, and receiving from her officers a package of letters to carry 
to England, stood on our course for our destined port. 

The Leopard and the frigate Leander of 36 guns, a sloop of war 
of 16 guns, and a cutter of 10 guns, all British vessels, had, for 
some time, been cruising off Cape Henry, watching the movements 
of a French frigate, then lying at Norfolk — England and France being 
at war at that time. These vessels had chased the French frigate 
from Toulon, in the Mediterranean; and it being kno\rn that she 
had seven millions in specie on board, the English were particularly 
anxious to possess themselves of it. 



41 

About two-thirds of the crew of the Leander, were American 
seamen, who had been impressed into the English Navy. There 
had been, a short time before, a mutiny on board the Leander, and 
the Americans had made their escape. None of the British officers, 
however, had been killed; they had merely been confined until the 
escape could be ejiected. Two of the American seamen who thus 
escaped, had entered on board the Chesapeake, before her sailing. 
One of them had a wife and five children in Baltimore, and the other 
a wife and seven children in Philadelphia. They had served in the 
British Navy, after being impressed, about four years. 

The Commander of the Leopard had ascertained that these men 
were on board the Chesapeake, and when that vessel came up with 
the cape, a small boat from the Leopard was sent along side, and 
their surrender demanded. Commodore Baron replied, that he had 
no British subjects on board. The boat then returned . After she 
reached the Leopard, Commodore Barron was enabled to discover, 
by the aid of a glass, that that vessel was preparing for an attack. 
The Commodore made all the preparation in his power for a defense; 
but as no matches were ready, and the loggerheads could not soon 
be heated, he was in a sorry condition to meet the enemy. The 
Leopard soon came up and fired a division of guns, by which the 
rigging and sails of the Chesapeake were considerably damaged. — 
An attempt was now made to fire the guns of the Chesspeake; but 
the loggerheads were not hot enough to burn the priming. The 
Leopard, by this time, gave a full broadside, killing and wounding 
nineteen, Commodore Barron being among the wounded. That 
gentleman was anxious that one gun at least should be fired from 
his vessel; and after succeeding in getting ofl^ one, he hauled down 
his colors. 

A boat was immediately sent to the Eng-lish Commander, who 
was informed that the Chesapeake was at his disposal. He answer- 
ed that he did not desire the ship, his only object being to secure the 
two deserters. He accordingly went on board and took the two men. 

When this engagement took place, the Wasp was about two 
miles distant. We immediately put about and stood for the com- 
batants. At the time the Chesapeake hauled down her colors, we 
were only four or five miles distant. Had she made us a signal 
when she first discovered that the Leopard meditated an attack, yve 
might have rendered her timely assistance. Though but a sloop of 
war, our 180 men, sixteen 32 pound carronades, and two long 18's, 
might at least have kept the Chesapeake's colors flying a little longer. 

Commodore Barron held a council with his officers, and they a- 
greed to return to port. The expense of her repairs was fourteen 
thousand dollars. 

After parting with the Chesapeake, we stood on our course for 
England, and made sight of Landsend on the fourteenth day. We 
were here becalmed, and did not reach Falmouth until fifteen days 



4t 

afterward. We wore quarantined at Falmouth for forty days. Du- 
ring this time, we had considerable sickness on board, a?, in fact, 
we had for most of the voyage, having lost eleven of our m n from 
distempers, and one by being knocked overboard. We then sailed 
to Spit Head, near Portsmouth, under a quarantine flag, where wo 
were also quarantined for fony days. 

Having remained about two weeks at Portsmouth, we took in a 
supply of provisions, and set sail for Loraine, in France. We were 
here subjected to a quarantine of forty days, soon after the expira- 
tion of which time we weighed anchor for Gibraltar. In crossing 
the Bay of Biscay, we met with a severe gale, and lost Hvt men o- 
verboard. On arriving at Gibraltar, we found the Constitution 
there. She informed us that she had received orders to return home, 
and that all our vessels were to leave that station, there being the 
prospect of difficulties with England, without she should make res- 
titution for the damage she had done the Chesapeake. We were or- 
dered to sail up the Mediterranean and find the Hornet, and inform 
her that she was wanted at home. We proceeded to Malaga, Syra- 
cuse, Malta, Fez, and Tunis, in search of her, but were unable to 
ge; on her Irack. Supposing that she might soon visit some of 
those ports, we left orders in all of them, for her return to the Uni- 
ted States. We then returned to Gibraltar, where we found the 
Constitution waiting for us, in company with which vessel, we soon 
afterward sailed for home. 

On our voyage we experienced the most severe gale I was ever 
in. It continued for three days and three nights. We took in ev- 
ery inch of sail we could, and were obliged to cut away others. — 
Barren, however, as our masts were, we run for most of the time 
at the rate of fourteen knots per hour. We were frequently under 
the necessity of lashing ourselves to the rigging, to prevent our 
being washed away. On the second or third day, when Lieut. Mc,- 
Donongh was at the wheel, a sea struck the weather-quarter, and 
sweeping him forward to the main-mast, carried him over the lee 
gunwaJ^ Fortunately, the end of a loose piece of rigging caught 
him with a half-hitch around one of his ancles, the other end of the 
rigging being fast. He was soon discovered, some thirty or forty 
feet from the side of the vessel, a part of the time under, and a part 
of the time above the water, and hauled on board in a state of great 
exhaustion. During the gale I had rather a narrow escape. I had 
been sent aloft to aid in launching the fore top-gallant-mast; and as 
I was standing on the top-sail yard, with one hand hold of the yard 
rope, while the men below were SAvaying the yard, the rope broke, 
and I fell backward, landing, after the descent of about forty-five 
feet, in the bunt of the fore-sail. Had I missed the bunt, I should 
have struck the deck, some fifty feet farther. As it was, the injury 
I received was trifling. 



43 

Both tlie Wasp and the Constitution anivcJ at Boston on the for- 
ty-second clay aftsr leaving Gibraltar. 

A short time after our arrival in Boston, wo sailed for Nev*' York 
where we arrived on the 25th day of January, 1808. We soon af- 
terward received orders to repair and cruise oiTthe coast, the embar- 
go having been hiid on the preceding Christmas. 

While the Wasp was repairing, I paid my family a visit. My arri- 
val was unexpected to my wife, the terra for which I had enlisted 
having little more than half expired. As the remainder of the 
term vv. uld be served on the American coast, she appeared much 
more reconciled at parting with me again. We sailed about the 1st 
of March for Passamaquoddj'', our orders being to cruise from that 
point to Ne\v Orleans. We remained upon the coast until fall, and 
then returned to New York to make repairs preparatory to our win- 
ters cruise. At the expiration of five or six weeks, v/e put to sea 
again, cruisiing for most of the tim? to the southward. The next 
spring we returned to New York again, and gave our ship, rigging, 
and sail thorough repairs. During the three months these repairs 
were making, I spent the most of my time with my family. My 
two yeai-s having now expired, I enlisted again, and continued on 
board the Wasp until 1811. Capt. Jones now took command of that 
vessel, and she was sent to England with despatches. 

The Avinter of 1811 I spent with my family, and worked the fol- 
lowing season in the Navy Yard at New York. 



CHAP. XIV. 

War between the Unitcri States and Grf-at Britain — Sailing of tlie Frisrate Uniteil Sta'es 
— Capture of the Macedonian — Return to New York with t!ie Prize — Reception — 
Put to Sea again — loss of the President. 

War was declared between the United States and Great Britain, 
in the month of June, 1812. I once more entered the Navy. I 
very well knew that we now had an enemy to face of great skill and 
experience, and one who could rally a powerful array of ships and 
men; but I considered that the Yankees were at lea«t able to stand 
before any force equal to their own. I knew, too, that Commodore 
Decatur, under whom I was to serve, had had his skill and mettle 
well tried, when with the Turks; and I felt quite as safe under his 
command, as I should under that of any other officer in the Ameri- 
can Navy. 

Commodore Decatur had the command of the frigate United States 
of 44 guns. We put to sea, in company with two or three other 
vessels, early in October, in search of the enemy. On Sunday, the 
25th of that month, having parted with the other vessels, we discov- 
ered a large sail to the southward and eastward. We were then in 



44 

lat. 29 N., long. 29, 30 W. The stranger was running down a 
little free, while the United States was on a wind, standing toward 
the chase, which was soon ascertained to be an enem)^ The latter 
having come within a league, hauled up, and passed to windward, 
when each party was enabled to see that it had a frigate to oppose. 
The stranger now wore and came round on the same tack as the U- 
nited States, keeping away sufficiently to get within reach of her 
long guns, when she hauled up on an easy bowline, with her mizzen 
topsail aback. At this moment the distance between the two ships 
a little exceeded a mile, when the Englishman opened his fire. — 
Finding his enemy on his weather quarter, Commodore Decatur de- 
livered his larboard broadside, wore round, and came up to the wind 
on the other tack, heading northerly. It was observed that all the 
cannonade-shot fell short, the enemy doing very little injury by his 
fire. 

Having passed her antagonist, the United States delivered her 
starboard broadside, and wore again, bringing her head once more 
to the southward, or on the same tack as the enemy, both ships 
steering rap fall, with their mizzen-topsails aback, and keeping up 
a heavy cannonade. In this manner the action continued about an 
hour, the English vessel suffering heavily, while her own fire inflic- 
ted very little injury on us. At length the stranger's mizzen-mast 
came doAvn over the lee quarter, having been shot away about ten 
feet above the deck. He then fell off, and let his foresail drop, ap- 
parently with a wish lo close. As the ships got near together, the 
shot of our vessel did fearful execution, the fore course being soon 
in ribands, the fore and main top-masts over the side, the main yard 
cut away in the slings, and the fore-mast tottering. The United 
Slates now filled her mizzen-topsail, gathered fresh way and tacked. 
As the stranger was drifting down, nearly before the wind, and 
was nearly unmanageable. Commodore Decatur had no difficulty in 
heading up high enough to cross his wake, which he handsomely ef- 
fected, with his people still manning the larboard guns. At the 
time the United States filled her mizzen-topsail, in preparation for 
stays, it is said that the enemy, under the impression she was about 
to run away, gave three cheers, and set a union jack in his main- 
rigging, all his other flags having come down with *'he several spars. 
When, however, as the enemy saw our ship luffing up to close, the 
jack was lowered and resistenee ceased. 

As the United States crossed the stern of the English ship, the 
firing having ceased on both sides, she hailed and demanded the name 
of her antagonist, and whether she had submitted. To the first in- 
terrogatory, Commodore Decatur was answered that the ship was 
the Macedonian 38, Captain Carden, and to the second, that the 
vessel had struck. On taking possession, the. enemy was fouud 
fearfully cut to pieces, having received no less than a hundred round 



i5 

shot in his hull alone. Of three hundred men on board him, thirty- 
six -were kiUerl, and sixty-eight wounded. 

The Macedonian was a very fine ship of her clasp, mounting, as 
usual, 49 guns ; eighteens on her gun deck, and thirty-two pound 
carronades above. She was smaller, of lighter armament, and had 
fewer men than the United States of course, but the disproportion 
between the force of the two vessels, was much less than that be- 
^^^ tween the execution. In this action, the advantage of position was 
i with the British ship until she v,'as crippled, and the combat v/as lit- 
ll tie more than a plain cannonade, at a distance that rendered grape 
or musketry of little or no use. for the greater part of the time. — 
The fire of the United States took so heavily in the. waist of her 
antagonist, that il is said the marines of the latter wem removed to 
the batteries, which circumstance increased the efficiency of the 
ship, by enabling new crews to be placed at the guns that had once 
been cleared of their men. On the other hand, our marines remain- 
ed drawn up in the waist of our ship, most of the time quite useless, 
though they exhibited the utmost steadiness and good conduct under 
the example of their gallant commander, the weight of the enemy's 
fire passing a short distance above their heads. 

The United States suffered surprisingly little, considering the 
length of the cannonade, and her equal exposure. She lost one of 
her top-gallant masts, received some wounds in the spars, had a 
good deal of rigging cut, and was otherwise injured aloft, but was 
hulled a very few times. Of her officers and people five were killed 
and seven woimded. Of the latter, two died, one of whom was 
Mr. John Nusser Funk, the junior lieutenant of the ship. No oth- 
er ofiicer was hurt. 

On taking possession of our prize, Commodore Decatur found her 
in a state that admitted of her being taken into port. When the 
necessary repairs were completed, the two ships made the best of 
their way to America; Commodore Decatur discontinuing the cruise 
in order to convoy his prize into port. The United States arrived 
off New London on the 4th of December, and about the same time 
the Macedonian got into Newport. Shortly after, both t-hips reach- 
ed New York by way of Hell Gate passage. 

Wo arrived as far as Cow Bay en the 28th of December, I think, 
v.'here we lay at anchor until the first day of Januar}". About three 
o'clock on the morning of that day, the tide and v/ind being favora- 
ble, we came into New York with the Macedonian as a New Year's 
gift, the star-spangled banner proudly waving over the British cross. 
We anchored beeween the North Battery and Govenor's Island, and 
fired a number of grand salutes, which were answered from the 
Battery. Our vessels soon becoming thronged with spectators, 
Commodore Decatur was compalled not only to deny admittance to 
but to send ashose those on board, and to put back to the Navy Yard. 

An invitation was soon after received bv the Com., officers and crew 



46 

to repair to the City Hall, to receive, at least, a slight manifestation 
of the gratitude of the people toward them, for their capture 
of the Macedonian. The invitation was accepted, as a matter of 
course. At the appointed hour, the steam ferry-boat came along 
side, with the officers of the corporation, a number of military offi- 
cers, and two bands of music. As we landed at the North Battery, 
we were honored by a grand salute, and received the welcumc of 
thcugands of spectators. A procession was formed, and we march- 
ed up to the City Hall, Avhich was filled to overflowing. We even 
found it difficult to elbow our way through the streets, so dense was 
the throng. The colors taken from the Macedonian, with the star- 
spangled banner and the American eagle floating above them, occu-' 
pied a prominent position in the procession. At the City Hall a 
short and appropriate redress was delivered by the Mayor of the 
city; and about three o'clock in the afternoon, we sat down to a 
sumptuous dinner. In the evening we attended the theatre, where 
we saw the engagement between the United States and Macedoni- 
an, which had been dramatized, re-enacted. We received permis- 
sion to tarry in the city until the next day, v.hen we returned to 
our ship. 

During the time our vessel was preparing for sea again, I remain- 
ed w ith my family. We were really for another cruise early in 
March, and sailed "for New London, Sandy Hook at the time being 
blockaded by the British. Wc made the passage of Hell, Gate and 
arrived at New London, where the United states and Macedonian 
were blockaded, for the remainder of the war. 

Commodore Rogc]s having left the President, in the summer of 
1814, to take command of the Guerriere, Commodore Decatur was 
transferred to the former ship. In the month of November, Com- 
modore Decatur had a force consisting of the President 44, his own 
ship. Peacock 18, Captain Warrington, Hornet 18, Captain Biddle, 
and Tom Bowline store vessel. His destination was the Ea^t Indies, 
where it was thought great havoc might be made with the valuable 
trade of the English. 

Owing to different causes, but principally to the wish of the gov- 
ernment to keep a force at New York, to resist the depredations of 
the enemy, Commodore Decatur did not get to sea until the middle 
of January, 1815. The Piesident dropped down to Sandy Hook a- 
lone, leaving the other vessels lying at Staten Island, and on the 
night of the 14th, she made an attempt to cross the bar. In conse- 
quence of the darkness, the pilots missed the channel and the ship 
struck; beating heavily on the sands, for an hour and a half. About 
ten o'clock the tide had risen to its height, and she was forced into 
deep water. Although the vessel had received considerable injury, 
it was impossible to return, and a strong blockading force being in 
the offing, it became necessary to carry sail to got off the coast be- 
fore morning. It had blown a gale the previous day, and Conimo- 



47 

dore Decatur, rightly judging that the enemy had been driven to 
leeward, decided to run along the land to the northward and east- 
ward, as the best means of avoiding a greatly superior force. This 
determination was judicious, and, had not the detention occurred on 
the bar, it would have been completely successful. After running 
off in a north-easterly for about five hours, the course of the ship 
was altered to S. E. by E. Two hours later, a strange sail was 
discovered ahead, within gun-shot, and two others being soon after 
seen, the President hauled up and passed to northward of them all. 
At daylight four ships were seen in chase, one on each quarler, and 
two astern. The nearest vessel was believed to be the Majestic ra- 
see, which fired a broadside or two, in the hope of crippling the A- 
merican frigate as she passed, but without efTect. It is now known 
that the enemy had been driven down to the southward by the gale, 
and that he was just returning to his station, when this unlucky en- 
counter occurred. 

The chase continued throughout the forenoon, the wind becoming 
lighter and baffling. The rasee was dropped materially, but the 
next nearest ship, the Endymion 40, a twenty-four pounder frigate, 
had closed, and as the Presideht was very deep, being filled with 
stores for a long cruise, Commodore Decatur commenced lightening 
her. Unfortunately, the commander, all the lieutenants, and mas- 
ter, were strangers, in one sense, to the ship; most of them never 
having been at sea in her at ail, and neither in any responsible situ- 
ation. The duty of lightening a ship in chase, is one of the most 
delicate operations in seamanship, and it ought never to be attempt- 
ed except by those perfectly acquainted Avith her lines, trim and 
stowage. Ilalf a dozen more water casks emptied at one end of the 
vessel than at the other, may injure her sailing, and the utmost 
care is to be observed lest the indiscretion of interiors in the hold, 
defeat the calculations of the commander on deck. On the other 
band. Commodore Decatur decided to undertake this delicate opera- 
tion under the most favorable circumstances that a want of familiar- 
ity of his ship would allow, as the wind was getting to be light, and 
was nearly aft. 

It is not known, however, that the sailing of the President was 
at all injured by the process of lightening, for the enemy obtained a 
material advantage by a change in the wind. While it was still light 
with the American ship, the British, about 3 P. M., were bringing 
down with them a fresh breeze. Soon after, the Endymion, the 
nearest vessel, having got within reach of shot, opened with her 
bow guns, the President returning the fire with her stern chasers. — 
The object of each was to cripple the spars of the other. It is said, 
that on this occasion, the shot of the President were observed to be 
thrown with a momentum so unusually small, as to have since exci- 
ted much distrust as to the quality of her powder. It is oven added, 



48 

that many of these shot were distinctl}'^ seen when clear of the smoke 
until they struck. 

By 5 P. M., the Endymion had got so far an the starboard, or lee 
quarter of the President, that no gun of the latter would bear on 
her, without altering the course. The fire of the English ship now 
became exceedingly annoying, for she was materially within point 
blank range, and every shot cut away something aloft. Still it was 
borne, in the hope that she would range up alongside, and give the 
President an opportunity to lay her aboard. Finding, however, that 
the enemy warily kept his position by yawing, in the hope of gradu- 
ally crippling us, Decatur decided on a course that singularly par- 
took of the daring chivalry of his character. 

It was evident that the sailing of the President was much impaired, 
either by injuries received on the bar, or by the manner in which she 
had been lightened, and escape by flight had become nearly hopeless. 

Commodore Decatur therefore determined to make an effort to 
exchange ships by carrying the Endymion, hand to hand, and to go 
off in the pnze, abandoning his own vessel to the «nemy. With 
this object in view, he determined to keep away, lay the enemy a- 
board, if possible, and put everything on the success of the experi- 
ment. The plan was communicated to the people, who received it 
cheerfully, and just at dusk, the helm of the President v/as put up, 
bringing the wind over the taffrail, the ship heading south. But she 
was so closely watched, that the Endymion kept away at the same 
moment, and the two ships came abeam of each other, when both 
delivered their broadsides. The President's attempts to close, how- 
ever, were defeated, for the vessels ^^'ere about a quarter of a mile 
apart, and as she hauled nearer to the enemy, the latter sheered a- 
way from her. Without a superiority in sailing, it was impossible 
for Ccmmondore Decatur to get on board his enemy, Avhile the lat- 
ter chose to avoid him, and he was now reduced to the necessity of 
attempting to get rid of the Endymion by dismantling her. The 
two frigates, consequently, continued running off dead before the 
wind, keeping up a heavy cannonade for tv/o hours and a half, when 
the Endymijn was so far injured that she fell astern, most of her 
sails having been cut from the yards . The President, at this mo- 
ment, was '^under her royal studding-sails, and there is no doubt, by 
choosing her position, she might have easily compelled her adversa- 
ry to strike; but, by this time, though the night was dark, the ves- 
sels astern were insight, and she was obliged to resume her origi- 
nal course to avoid them. In doing this, the President hauled up 
under the broadside of her late antagonist, without receiving any 
fire to injure her. 

It wag now half past eight, and the President continued to run off 
southeast, repairing damages, but it was found impossible to pre- 
vent the other vessels of the enemy from closing. At 11 P. M., the 
Pomona 38, got on the weather bow of the President, and poured 



49 

in a broadside ; and as the Tenedos, of the 6ame force, was fast 
closing on the quarter, and the Alajestic was within g'un-ehot astern, 
further resistence was useless. Conimodore Decatur had crdered 
his men below, when he saw the two last frigates closing, but find- 
that his signal of submission was not at fijst understood, the Pomo- 
na continuing to fire, an order was given for them to return to their 
guns, when the enemy ceased. The Majestic coming up before the 
removal of Commodore Decatur, that cfiicer delivered his sword to 
her captain, who was the senior English officer present. The of- 
ficer then asked Commodore Decatur, "To which vessel do you sur- 
render?" To which the Commodore replied, " I do not surrender to 
any single vessel of equal force, but to the British squadron ." 

The President lost twenty-four men killed, and fifty-six wounded. 
She was a good deal injured in her hull, and most of her important 
spars were badly damaged. By one of those chances which decides 
the fortunes of men, among the slain were the first, fourth, and fifth 
lieutenants. The Endymion had eleven killed, and fourteen wound- 
ed, according to the published reports; but those reports were not 
correct; as we ascertained at Bermuda, that her killed and wounded 
amounted to eighty. 

The President was 'carried to Bermuda, and both she and the En- 
dymion were dismasted in a gale, before reaching port. The latter 
also threw overboard her upper deck guns. Commodore Decatur 
was shortly after paroled, and he and all his surviving officers and 
men, were subsequently acquitted with honor, for the loss of the 
President. 



CHAP, XV. 

Terminctton of the war — Superiority of the Amcriran Navy— Return of Americoii Pris- 
oners froia Bermuda. 

The war vras tenninated not long after this act"on. The navy 
came out of this struggle with a vast increase of reputation. The 
brilliant style in which the ships had been carried into action, the 
steadiness and rapidity with which they had been handled, and the 
fatal accuracy of the fire, on nearly every occasion, produced a new 
era in naval warfare. Most of the frigate actions had been as soon 
decided as circumstances would at all allow, and in no instance was it 
found necessary to keep up the fire of a sloop of war an hour, when 
singly engaged. Most of the combats of the latter, indeed, were 
decided in about half that time. The execution done in these short 
conflicts was often equal to that made by the largest vessels of Eu- 
rope, in general action ; and in some of them the slain and wounded 
comprised z. verv Iarg« proportion of Ihe crows. 



50 

It is not easy to say in ■which nation this unlookedfor result crea- 
ted the most surprise ; America or England. In the first it produ- 
ced a confidsnce in 'itself that had been greatly wanted, but which, 
in the end, perhaps, degenerated to a feeling of self-esteem and secu- 
rity that was not without danger, or entirely without exaggeration. 
The last was induced to alter its mode of rating, adopting one by no 
means as free from the imputation of a want of consistency as that 
which it abandoned, and it altogether changed its estimate of tho 
force of single ships, as well as of the armaments of frigates. The 
ablest and bravest captains of the English fleet were ready to admit, 
that a new power was about to appear on the ocean, and that it was 
not improbable the battle for the ma^ tery of the seas would have to 
be fought over again. In short, while some of the ignorant presu- 
ming and boastful were disposed to find excuses for the unexpected 
nautical reverses which Great Britain had met with in this short war, 
the sagacious and reflecting saw in them matter for serious apprehen- 
sion and alarm. They knew that the former triumphs of their admi- 
rals had not so much grown out of an unusual ability to manoeuvre 
fleets, as in the national aptitude to manage single ships : and they 
saw the proofs of the same aptitude, in the conduct of the Ameri- 
cans during this struggle, improved on by a skill in gunnery, that had 
never before been so uniformly manifested in naval warfare. In a 
word, it may be questioned if all the great victories of the last Euro- 
pean conflicts caused more exultation among the uninstructed of that 
nation, than the defeats of this gave rise to misgivings and appre- 
hensions among those who were able to appreciate causes and to an- 
ticipate consequences in"a matter so purely professional as the con- 
struction, powers, and handling of ships. 

Many false modes of accounting for the novel character that had 
been given to naval battles, was resorted to. Among other reasons, 
it was affirmed that tqe American vessels of war sailed with crews of 
picked seamen. That a nation vrhich practised impressment, and 
had six thousand five hundred American seamen in Dartmouth prison 
during the war, who were impressed, should imagine that another 
whose enlistments were voluntary, could possess an advantage of 
this nature, shov.'s a strong disposition to listen to any means but 
right ones, to account for the truth. 

It is not known that a single vessel left the country, the Constitution 
on her two last cruises excepted, with a crew that could be deemed 
extraordinay. No American man-of-war ever sailed with a compli- 
ment composed of nothing but able seamen ; and some of tho hard- 
est fought battles that occurred during this war, were fought by the 
ships' companies that were materially worse than coniincn. The 
people of the vessels on Lake Champlain, in particular, vv'ere of a 
quality much inferior to those u.sually found in ships of Avar. Nei- 
ther were the officers in general, old or very experienced. The na- 
vy itself had existed but fourteen years, when the war commenced, 



51 

and some of the commanders began their profeesionalcareers, seve- 
ral years after the first appointments had been made. Perhaps one 
half of the lieutenants, in the service at the peace of 1815, had gone 
on board a ship for the first lime, within six years from the declara- 
tion of the war, and very many of them within three or four. So 
far from the midshipmen having been masters and mates of merchant- 
men, as was reported at the time, they were generally youths that 
first quitted the ease and comforts of the parental home, when they 
appeared on the-quarter deck of a man-of-war. 

That tha tone and discipline of the service were high, is true; but 
it must be ascribed to moral, and not to physical causes ; to that ap- 
titude in the American character f , r the sea, which has been so con- 
stantly manifested from the day the first pinnance sailed along the 
coast on the trading voyages of the seventeenth century, down to 
the present moment. 

An exchange of prisoners having been made, we ai'rived in New 
York on the 17th day of February, 1 815. The next day intelligence 
of the ratification of peace was received, and on the following eve- 
ning the city was illuminated. The troops formed a procession and 
marched through the city under arms, with a candle in the muzzle of 
each musket ; and continued thus marching until the candles burnt 
out. The procession and spectators numbered, according to estimate 
seventy-five thousand. 

In about a week after this, we were paid off and discharged. My 
prize money amounted to three hundred and sixty-two dollars and 
fifty cents, the carpenter and petty officers always being entitled to 
a share and a half — while the commodore receives fourteen share?, 
and the lieutenants six. I soon afterward returned to my family in 
Westchester county. 



CHAP. XVI. 

Difficulties with Algiers — Sailing of tlic Auierican Sqnadron, and its arrival off Algiers- 
Skirmishes with the enemy— Terms of Treaty tlictatcd to the Dey— Peace— Arrival 
Home — Death of four Children. 

Most of the American cruisers having been withdrawn from the 
Meditterranean daring the war with England, the Dey of Algiers 
commenced depradations upon the few that remained in or near that 
sea. Determined to inflict a salutary punishment upon the Dey, 
Congress, on the 2d day of March, 1815, passed an act authorizing 
hostility to be commenced against him. 

Eighteen vessels v/ere put under the command of Commodore De- 
catur, and ordered to get ready for sailing some time during the 
month of May following. The flag ship was to be the Guerriere, 
rated at 44 guns, but carrying 64. She was a new frigate, having 



52 

been built in 1814. I re-entered for this vessel, which, of course 
was to carry out Commodore Decatur, under whom, I had so long 
served. 

The squadron sailed from Norfolk for the Mediterranean about the 
20th of May. On our arrival at Algiers, that port was immediately 
blockaded. . A number of the vessels of the enemy were captured, 
and others driven ashore and abandoned . In an engagement be- 
tween some of our vessels and those of the enemy, the Algerine ad- 
miral was slain. 

Soon after this, Commodore Decatur offered to treat with the en- 
emy ; but they refused to give up the American prisoners in their 
possession unless the United States would pay them a high sum and 
a yearly tribute. Another attack upon the city was therefore re- 
solved upon by our Commodore, if more favorable terms of treaty 
could not be obtained. He accordingly collected all his cruisers, 
and running into the harbor, came to anchor within musket shot of 
the batteries— springs being attached to our cables, so that we could 
bnng our guns to bear in any direction we chose. The Commodore 
then sent a flag of truce on shore, with word that he would give the 
Dey thirty minutes to sign the proposals which had been drawn up ; 
and that in case of his refusal so to do, the city should be leveled 
with the ground. The Dey returned the flag, requesting Decatur 
to come on shore. The flag was sent back to the Dey again, ac- 
companied with the hint that the lime allowed him had nearly expi- 
red. The Dey hastened on board. Decatur told him that, accord- 
ing to the articles of treaty, he was required to liberate his piison- 
ers, of all nations, and to pay for the damage he had done the Amer- 
ican vessels and allowed the British to do to those within his juris- 
diction. The Dey replied that he could not pay America ; for if he 
did, other nations would make the same exaction of him. He con- 
sented, however, to accceed to the terms proposed, if America would 
send him a few barrels of powder yearly, inasmuch as he did not man- 
ufacture the article himself. Beside, this would prevent other na- 
tions from making an unconditional demand upon him for the damage 
he had done their shipping. Commodore Decatur's reply was, "You 
can have the powder, but you must have balls with it." The Dey, 
having seen enough of American balls, immediately attached his sig- 
nature to the treaty. 

The difiiculties with Algiers having thus been adjusted, we set sail 
for home. On arriving at Gibralter, we found Commodore Bainbridge 
with eighteen vessels, one of which was the Independence 74, the 
first line-of-battle ship ever sent from the United States. The Inde- 

?endence was Commodoi-e B.'s flag ship, and bore his broad penant. 
'hat oflScer immediately upon our arrival, ordered Commodore De- 
catur to haul down his penant from the Guerriere, and his vessels to 
join his (Commodore B.'s| squadron; — but Decatur refused doing eo, 
saying, that he had worn his penant at the mast head of the Gner- 



83 

riere from the time of his leaving America, and should return home 
with it flying from the same place . Decatur added that he had com- 
pleted the work for which he had been sent to the Mediterranean , 
without the assistance of Bainbridge or his vessels ; but still, if that 
ofRcer had arrived before peace had been made, he should have given 
up the command to him. 

We soon set sail for the United States, where we arrived in No- 
vember, 1815. We were paid off and discharged, and the shipping 
laid up, the United States being then at peace with all nations. 

I returned to my family in Westchester county, and remained with 
them until the following spring. I then commenced work in the 
New York Navy Yard, and continued there until fall, where I sold 
my house and lot, and removed to Dutchess county, where I purcha- 
sed a small farm, and again commenced the coopering business. I 
found business very good ; the country was rich and delightful ; my 
preterences for the water were one by one removed by the domestic 
happiness with which I was surrounded ; and I was equally rejoiced 
at the change both in my pursuits of life and in my location. But I 
was soon called to drink deeply of the cup of affliction. The small 
pox, which had been for some time committing its ravages in the 
neighborhood, reached my little circle, secure as I had supposed it to 
be ; and in the course of one week, the four youngest of my five 
children fell victims to that disease. Reader ! are you a parent ?— 
And have you watched, day by day, and night by night, over the 
couches of the little ones whom God had given yuu, and seen them 
waste gradually away, under sufferings the most severe, and sink, 
one after another, into the cold embrace of death ? It were needless 
then, for me to attempt by the use of language, a description of the 
harrowings of soul I experienced at a loss so sudden — overwhelming. 

In the village of Poughkeepsie, about one hundred and fifty died of 
the same disease. It created quite as much panic in that section, as 
the cholera did in 1832. 

I remained with my family in Dutchess, working at my trade, and 
doing a little at farming, about six years. 



CHAP. XVII. 



Difficulties with the Pirates — Sailing of tlie Squadron to chastise them — Description of 
Key West — Capture of a number of Piratical Vessels — Execution of One Hundred aud 
Forty-Five Pirates — Return Home. 

Being in New York, early in .January, 1823, I ascertained that a 
squadron was fitting out for the West Indies, to chastise the pirates, 
who had been for some time committing sei'ious depradations upon 
the American merchant vessels. Commodore Porter, who was the 
first lieutenant of the Philadelphia, at the time of her capture by the 



54 

Turks, insisted upon my enlisting and going- out with him tot Key 
West, which was to be the head quarters of the squadron. I agreed 
to do so. I returned home to inform my wife of my intentions, and 
to make the necessary arrangements for the convenience of my fam- 
ily during my absence. 

On arriving at New York I found Commodore Porter nearly ready 
for sailing. Most of his vessels were at Noffolk, where we soon 
proceeded to join them. The Commodore had recently purchased a 
small steamboat that had for some time plied between New York 
and Cow Bay, on Long Island ; and the squadron consisted of this 
boat, which carried fifty men and six brass pounders, and eight small 
schooners, each of about eighty tons burthen, and carrying one long 
18 pounder, two twelve pound carronades, and thirty-six men, inclu- 
ding officers ; also, two larger schooners, the Shark and Grampus, 
each of 14 guns, and the Decoy, a store ship in disguise, carrying 
sixty men and eight 12 pounders. 

We sailed from Norfolk for Key West in April, and made the pas- 
sage in eighteen days. The only building on the island was a small 
house which had been built and occupied by the pirates. Key West 
lies on the edge of the Bahama banks, and is about ninety miles from 
Havana, (Cuba) and about the same distance from Matanzas. 

We landed twelve pieces of cannon, and threw up the breast work 
of a small fort for the protection of our stores, when our vessels 
might be ctuising. We had timber, framed and ready for putting up, 
sent out for four or five buildings. These were soon raised and en- 
closed. One of them we used for a hospital, one for a store house, 
and the other for dwellings. They were to be guarded, during the 
absence of the squadron, by one captam, one lieutenant, and twenty- 
five marines. There was no water on the island, and at first we 
were under the necessity of bringing all we used from Cuba. After 
the erection of our buildings, we attached cisterns to tnem, and caught 
nearly as much water as was wanted for drinking and culinary pur- 
poses. We soon after received materials for, and erected some fif- 
teen or twenty additional buildings, as also shops for carpenters, coo- 
pers, and blacksmiths, rigging and sail lofts, &c . We soon had quite 
a Navy Y'ard and a convenient harbor for small vessels. 

We also built twelve barges, each being propelled by sixteen or 
eighteen oars, and carrying a number of small arms and one seven- 
barreled blunderbuss, each barrel of which carried twelve musket 
balls. These barges drew about three feet of water. 

Not long after our arrival at Key West, -\v e one day discovered a 
schooner of. three guns, and containing a crew of about seventy pi- 
rates. We gave her chase, but she soon ran aground about fifty rods 
from the shore. All the pirates mare their escape with the excep- 
tion of five, who could not swim. These we secured. We got the 
schooner off without much damage to her cargo, which consisted 
principally of merchandise. She also had on board about sixty thou- 



55 

sand dollars in specie. The pirates whom we captured were execu- 
ted. 

Soon after this, we drove another piratical schooner ashore, the 
crew of which numbered sixty or seventy, all of v/hom made their 
escape. 

On the fourth of July, 1824, while we were lying at Matanzas, a 
vessel came in and informed us that there was a piratical schooner 
down some thirty miles to the leeward of that place. Four of our 
vessels (tv/o schooners and two barges) were lying at Matanzas at 
the time, having just arrived there from a cruize around the island of 
Cuba. We immediately set sail for the pirate. The wind being 
ahead, the barges rowed close in along shore, while the schooners had 
to beat to. the windward. I was on board one of the barges, both of 
which outran the schooners. 

On arriving in sight of the piratical schooner, we found her lying 
at anchor in a bay, near three merchant vessels that she had calcula- 
ted upon plundering the following night. Capt. Watson command- 
ed the eighteen oar barge; and Lieut. Brainbridge the sixteen. — 
They were at a loss whether to attack the pirate or not. They car- 
ried one long 18 pounder, and two 12 pound carronades, and seven- 
ty-two men. Captain Watson finally concluded that he would take 
her by boarding, to which we all agreed. 

The Captain then gave orders to Lieutenant Brainbridge to run 
under the starboard quarter of the pirate, and reserve his fire until 
the signal was given — while the Captain was to run his barge under 
her starboard bow. I was stationed forward at the blunderbuss, on 
Capt. W.'s barge. We ran within pistol shot of the pirate, when 
she fired her 18 pounder upon us. The gun was loaded with grape 
and cannister shot, but we were so near the charge fortunately pass- 
over our heads. Capt W. then gave orders to fire. We fired our 
blunderbuss and muskets, killidg about one-half of the pirates. One 
of our barges boarded the starboard side of the pirate, and the other 
the larboard, at the same time, and found little difficulty in obtain- 
ing possession of her. 

Those of the pirates who could swim, jumped overboard and at- 
tempted to gain the shore, but one of the barges pursued and killed 
all of them before tliey reached the shore, with one exception, and 
he was shot down immediately upon leaving the water. Those who 
did not jump overboard were of course secured. Thus, of the sev- 
enty-two pirates, not one escaped to tell the fate of his comrades. ' 
We took our prize in tow, and'had got fairly out^of the bay before' the 
schooners came up. We ascertained our prize to be a merchant 
schooner that had been cut out of Matanzas about two weeks before 
cur taking her, well loaded with provisions. These having been 
disposed of, her cargo, when Vv'e captured her, consisted principally 
of merchandise which had been plundered fmra other vessels. 

We took her to Key West, and in taking out her cargo, we found 



56 

stowed away between the timbers and limber plank, about one hun- 
dred and fifty thousand dollars in gold and silver. The schooner 
was returned to her owners, and the pirates taken on board of her, 
nine in number, executed by order of Commodore Porter, 

During the time we were at Key West, our squadron captured a- 
bout twenty small boats belonging to (he pirates ; but the princi- 
pal part of their crews generally succeeded in making their escape. 

I was on board the schooner Tarrier, commanded by Captain Rose, 
during one of her cruises around the Island of Cuba. About eight 
o'clock one morning, we spied a sail close in to the land. We had 
a good sea breeze, but the stranger was becalmed. We stood for 
her, but when within four or five miles of her, became becalmed al- 
so. We then manned our sweeps, the Tarrier carrying eighteen of 
thirty two feet. The stranger, whose crew we discovered to num- 
ber some sixty or seventy, also manned her sweeps. Her force was 
so strong we saw there was little prospect of gaining upon her, and 
had to content ourselves by giving her a few of our 18 pound shot, 
but they did not reach her. We then determined to give her a 
chase, and applying ourselves to our oars, pursued her until about 
ten o'clock at night, when the shade of the land hid her from our 
view. We ran down the land to Cape Antonio, without again see- 
ing her. We concluded we had passed her during the night. A 
breeze springing up in the morning we returned back, and in the af- 
ternoon discovered her in tow of an English schooner. The previ- 
ous night, while this schooner was lying in a bay at the Isle of Pines, 
the pirate put in and came to anchor. The vessels did not discover 
each other until daylight, when an action took place between them. 
There was not much damage done on either side. The pirates, 
knowing full well that death would be their portion were they cap- 
fired their vessel, and as many of them as could made their escape. 
The fire, however, was extinguished by the English before it had 
d ^ne much damage. We learned that the vessel had two hundred 
thousand dollars in gold and silver on board, and regretted that we 
had not been her captors. 

Soon after this, a British brig of fourteen guns and eighty men 
took a piratical schooner of 22 guns and about three hundred men. 
The engagement lasted six hours. 0ns hundred and twenty-five pi- 
rates were taken alive, the remainder having been killed. All of 
those who were taken, I saw hanged in one day at Kingston, Jamai- 
ca. The execution commenced at ten o'clock in the niorning, and 
lasted until about four in the afternoon. Twenty-five were hanged 
at a time. Th'' impression male upon my mind, at seeing so many 
of in}- feliow-beings, reprehensible as thoir pursuits must have boon, 
thus hurried, prepared or unprepared, into the presence of their Ma- 
ker, can never be obliterated. 

The pirates now being generally subdued in the vicinity of Key 
West, Commodore Porter sailed with most of his vesselfs to tho 



57 



Spanish main, to route some living there in a cave. These had 
three pieces of cannon placed at the mouth of the cave; but they 
all fled when we landed, with the exception of an old Spamard' cov 
ered with rags and scars, and ^"PP^^^d to be one hundred yeais of 
acrP. We secured the cannon and a considerable amount of P'-y ty- 
"Leaving three vessels to watch the pirates, and \c«'X"y °\"^^; 
rines to guard Key West, we mailed for New Jork in the sumnier 
of 1826. Our captain,Francis F. Gamble, died on the passage, oil 
Cape Hatteras, of the yellov.' fever. 



CHAP. XVIII. 



More of Death's Doings-Leave the Navy-Misf.rtunes-A Tour to the West-Orleans 
County House. 

Shortly after my arrival in New York, I proceeded to Dutchess 
county, Ld found that death had ac^ain visited "^y f^^^'^J; . j^^^.;^! 
tim was my wife. She had died about hree °^°"th^ P">;'°"^^y-- 

Though my eldest and two yo^"g«st «^'l'i'-«V''rtlp vTr^Ld scen^ 
tion of loneliness gradually stole upon me, which, the^^"^^ s'^J^^ 
of seventeen yearl have not yet overcome, and wjj^^b ^ea^h ak^^^^^^ 
can remove. That I was not reconciled to this afflictive dispensa 
tion of Providence, must be attributed to an unsanct bed heart. 1 
col not then sub'scribe to the doctrine that God dealt in mercy by 
all his creatures, else I should have kissed the rod that so soieiy 

"X'on'lhrd'eath of my wife, her sister removed into my house, to 
take charge of the two youngest of my chi dren-one a daughter, 
in her sixth year, and the other a son about three years of age.— 
Sy old St child! 'a son, then about twenty years of ag^«' .f-^.-"- 
time previously entered the navy, where he yet remains, i* aln^e - 
I have not heard from him for about four and a ha f years, at which 
time he was at the Key West station, and held a heutenant s com- 
Ssion-the vessels at that station being under the command of 
Commodore Shaw, an uncle of mine. 

iTntered into an agreement with my sister-in-law by which 
Bhe was to take care of'^my two youngest children until they should 
become o? a^e, and give them a good education; m consideration of 
which I deedod her my house and lot. My wife's clothing was also 
7o be preserved for m/daughter, until ^he should become of age 

I then set' led up my busine^.- and went to New \ oik. Leaimng 
that the sloop of warConc^rd, Captain Ballard, was about sau.ng 
for the East India station with despatches to the f-^f i<^^" ^^^^^^^^ 
there I entered for the service. We sailed in September, 1826, and 
had a pleasant vovag.. Aft^-r remaining there untd November, 



58 

1827, we set sail for New York, which port we made the following 
January. 

Leaving the Navy, I returned home, and found another vacant 
seat around my hearth — my youngest child having died during my 
absence. I soon afterward started for Tro}^, where I worJied at the 
coopering business about six months. I then went to Oneida coun- 
ty, and remained there nearly two years, after which I paid my 
daughter a visit. I afterward returned to the western part of this 
state. In 1832, whilst in Cayuga county, I was afflicted with the 
inflamation of the eyes. They soon became so bad that I was una- 
ble to work. I remained in this condition about two years. I had 
about five hundred dollars when this aftiiction first cam.e upon me; — 
but as it was rapidly disappearing, by the payment of rny boarding- 
house and doctor's bills, without any relief being experienced, I con- 
cluded to go to New York, and place myself under the care of Drs, 
Rogers and Delafield. Their bill for board and professional services, 
was two dollars and fifty cents per week. After remaining there fif- 
teen months, I so far recovered ray sight as to be able to work at 
my trade. 

On leaving New York I went to Herkimer, on the Mohawk, and 
after working there six or eight months, went to Buffalo. Not be- 
ing pleased with the place, I started for the east again. Having 
reached Orleans county, about the first of October, I was seized 
with the fever and ague, and my means becoming exhausted, I was 
obhged, much against my will, as the reader may well imagine, to 
go to the county house. This was in 183G. 

Recovering my health, in a good measure, soon afterward, and 
being well acquainted with tools, the keeper wished me to remain. 
As winter was near at hand, I concluded to remain until spring, 
knowing that my labor, at least, would prove an equivalent for my 
expenses. My health being rather poor in the spring, I was oflTered 
a small salary to work in the shop and the keeper's garden until fall. 

The keeper and his family were very kind to me, taking the best 
care of me when sick. I always had enough to eat and to drink, and 
that of a wholesome quality. Those of the inmates who conducted 
themselves orderly, were treated with humanity ; but those who 
were disorderly, it beeame necessary to punish, that the discipline 
of the institution might be preserved. 

The following January, I had the misfortune to brealv my ankle, 
directly above the joint; and was unable to labor until about. the first 
of April. The superintendents now determined upon building a cow 
house, twenty-two by sixty feet, and a shed, fifteen by thirty-six 
feet, and offered me the job. Though I never laid out a building, I 
accepted the offer and went to work. Being obliged to use a crutch 
I labored under great disadvantages, and could not accomplish more 
than half as much as I should, had I the free use of both of my legs. 
By the time the buildings were raised, however, I was able to walk 



59 



without the use of my crutch, and succeeded in inclosing them be- 
fore harvest. The labor on the buildings was valued at one hundred 

^^Thl^next feU the superintendents offered to give me fifty dollars 
to purchase cooper's tools with, if I would work for them thro the 
winter, on tubs and pails. I accepted the ofler and worked until 
rDrinff They then agreed to furnish me with stock, if I would 
Xe them one half of the proceeds of the sales, and pay one do lar 
£r week for my board. I commenced in March, and by the fi st of 
January the sales of my work amounted to three hundred dollars, 
loon after thisr^y health became feeble, and I was confined to my 
bed fof fourteen weeks. After recovermg it, I commenced work, 
which! continued until August, when I finally left the institution. 

CHAP. XIX. 

A ViBit to Michiean-Sickness-Return to Rochester-Monroe Co. House-Kind Treal- 
A ViBit to Micnigan ^^^^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^^ connected with the Institution. 

Wishinff to see my daughter and a sister, who had about tvvo 
years pre?iously removed to the vicinity of Grand River Rapids 
Eigan, I determined to pay them a visit I started about the Ist 
of Senteiiiber. This was in 1840. I had two sets of good tools, 
one for mtent work and the other for oak .work, and money enough 
?obea myTxp^nses. On my arrival in Michigan I learned v^ry 
much to my disappointment, that my daughter had removed to Illi- 
nois, abo.7six hundred miles distant. Having an acquamtance in 
NTrthville, Wayne county, I proceeded to ^hat place, and after 
hiring a shop and getting out a stock of timber, went to woik. I was 
soon afterwards taken sfck, and was not able to work any that winter 

The ne^t spring, finding my health still poor, I sold my tools and 
started for the east. I stopped in this (Monroe county, and after 
be'ng here until September, finding that I was iailing with old age 
and ill health, I was obliged to go to the county ^""f ', f"//^^^J^^^^ 
my Maker, as the reader will soon discover I have abundcint reasons 
S? doing, that he ever direqted my footsteps to that in^titu ion 

I was able at that time te work a few hours each day at light 
work. I always found enough to do, and did Jnot require drmng to 
1 it. In Joshua Tripp, Esq., the keeper, I found f g'^n^^^'^^^" «J 
humanity and a christian. His family were very attentive to my 
wants, Jnd soon won my affection by the lundness hat -arked aU 
their intercourse with me. I never stood in need of anything, when 
sick or well, that they did not furnish me, if it were in the house, 
nor do I remember of their ever using a harsh word towaid me — 
The family are what they profess to be— christians. They set good 



80 

examples before the inmates of the house; and I verily believe they 
<' do to others as they would be done by." 

There are always more or less in every institution of this sort, 
who will not obey its rules and must therefore be punished. There 
are others, again, who will find fault if they are used ever so well. 
I believe, however, that those who make the loudest complaints of 
ill usage, are among the ignorant of other nations, who do not know 
when ihey are tvell treated . 

I am satisfied that the inmates of Monroe County House can take 
as much comfort as people in general. Their labor is not hard, their 
living is good, their clothing decent, their lodgings comfortable, 
and when they are sick they have a physician and kind nurses.— 
There is preaching on the Sabbath for their especial benefit, and 
schools where their children my be educated. If, under such cir- 
cumstances, they are not happy, they have no one to blame but 
themselves. Their meat, their bread, their milk, and their butter, 
are the same as those used in the family of the keeper. They are 
not confined to any particular kind of food, and can generally have 
anything which an appetite not vitiated, usually craves. Indeed, I 
doubt whether one half the people, either in the city or country, live 
as well as the inmates of this institution. 

I cannot, in justice to my own feelings, conclude this chapter, 
without bearing testimony to the good will which the superinten- 
dents have ever manifested toward me. Mr. Thompson, in particu- 
lar, has extended to me various offices of kindness, which can never 
be forgotten. 



CHAP. XX. 

Indisposition— Convicted of Sin — A Dream — Conversion — Union wiUi God's people — 
Fruits of the Revival. 

About the first of January 1843, I took a violent cold, which soon 
settled upon my lungs. I became very much reduced, and consid- 
ered it doubtful whether I should ever recover. I was troubled with 
a severe cough, and a pain in my breast and side. 

A new minister, (the Rev. Mr. Brooks.) commenced preaching 
at the County House about that time. I had heard but few ser- 
mons on the Sabbath for about forty years, until those preached by 
Mr. Brooks. When a young man, I had founded my hope on Uni- 
versal Salvation, which doctrine I adhered to for about twenty years. 
I afterwards became a believer in Restoration. Still, there were 
some doubts in my mind, and my conscience was not at ease. Af- 
ter hearing- the sermon spoken of, I became convinced that my doc- 
trine was not founded upon the Bible, and that if I died in the con- 
dition 1 was then in, I should forever be miserable. The plain, pun- 



61 

gent truths presented by Mr. Brooks, by showing me the wicked- 
ness of my heart, gave me great uneasiness i'or some days. 

Mr. Tripp and his family, learning my state of mind,'invited me one 
morning into their apartment to attend family worship. I joyfully 
accepted the invitation. During their devotions prayers were offer 
ed for me, but the load upon my mind still remained. 

In addition to preaching on the Sabbath, prayer-meetings were 
held three or four evenings each week.' Most of these meetings I 
attended. Some two weeks after the sermon alluded to, several of 
the inmates became convicted of their sins. For my own part, I 
found no relief. My sins weighed heavily upon my mind; and I al- 
most despaired of ever seeing the smiling face of my Savior. I had 
long been a sinner, paying little heed to the warning and advice I 
had received in early life; and I feared that God's Spirit could strive 
with me but little longer. 

I remained in this situation about three weeks, when, one night, 
I had a very pleasant dream. It appeared to me that I was at the 
Isle of Patmos, in the Mediterranean. I was lying on my back, in 
the bottom of a small sail boat, and had a white covering over me, 
resembling a sheet. With the exception of a light swell that gent- 
ly rocked the boat, there was a perfect calm upon the water. As 
far as the eye could extend, I beheld thousands of boats around me, 
with one person in each, and with a covering similar to my own. — 
They all wore a pale though a contented countenance, and not a 
word was uttered by any of them. 

During this vision, I was in a most happy state of mind and body; 
but when'I awoke I found my pain as severe as ever. In relating 
this vision to Mr. Trippe the next morning, he gave the following 
interpretation: The boat represented the ark of safety; the white 
covering, Christ's robe of righteousness: and the people, the saints 
in heaven. 

For a week or two after this I felt very unhappy. I had about 
given up all hopes of obtaining a forgiveness of my sins. I had s.n- 
ned against my own light and knowledge, and thought myself be- 
yond the reach of mercy. These fears, at one of our Tuesday eve- 
ning meetings, particnlarly oppressed me. I knelt down and at- 
tempted to pray, but regarding my prayer as that of the wicked, I 
thought I could never prevail with God. The christians present 
gave me many words of encouragement, and besought me not to 
relax my intercessions. They afterward wrestled mightily with 
God in my behalf, and I have reason for believing that their efforts 
were not in vain. 

I retired to bed about 11 o'clock that night. After being racked 
with pain both of body and mind for two or three hours, I renewed 
my supplications at the throne of grace; and, blessed be God, he 
granted a listening ear, and spoke peace to my soul! The doubts 
and fears with which I had long been ground to the very duEt, were 



62 

now dispelled, giving place to a tranquility of mind never before ex- 
perienced . Old things seemed to have passed av/cLj, and all things 
appeared new. 

But I need not attempt an expression of my feelings — my pen, e- 
qually with my tongue, is incompetent to the task. Those only 
who have experienced the goodness of God in the forgivness of their 
sms, and have had their hearts for the tirst time warmed with love 
to him, can appreciate my feelings at the time. I felt as though I 
had entered upon another voyage, under a new Commander; and 
resolved, through his help, to remain with him during life, not 
doubting that if I served him as faithfully as I had the old comman- 
der under whom I had served for seventy-two years, and who had 
at last cast me off upon the cold charities of the world, I should, at 
the end of luVs voyage, be landed in the haven of rest, where neith- 
er want nor suffering is known. 

Since that night, I have taken more real comfort than I had be- 
fore during the whole of my life; and my prayer to God now is, that 
I may ren:iuin faithful unto the end, and that he may grant me grace 
so to live that I may not bring a reproach upon his cause, nor haz- 
ard the safety of my own soul. 

About the first of March I received the ordinance of baptism at 
the Second Baptist Church in Rochester, and about the twentieth 
of that month, received the right hand of fellowship, as a member 
of the church. I may remark, in this connection, that between the 
first of January and the first of May, of this year, about one hund- 
red and thirty-five united, upon a profession of their faith, with the 
Second Baptist Church, and about the same number with the First 
Baptist Church. There have also been great accessions to most of 
the other churches, of different denominations, in the city — the past 
winter having been remarkable for the copious outpouring of God's 
spirit in this vicinity. Of the inmates of the" County House, some 
twenty-five profess to have passed from death unto life, and a num- 
ber of backsliders have been reclaimed. There are also many now 
under conviction. Oh, that they might realize the truth of the de- 
claration of God, that his Spirit " shall not always strive with man," 
and whilst it is called to day, ground their weapons of rebellion, and 
make their peace with him. 



63 
CHAP. XXI. 

The Old Ship Zion — Her Commander, (.'rew, Regulations, Destination, &c. 

The reader has already been informed, that for many years of my 
life I have sailed in different ships and under different commanders. — 
I shall devote the last chapter of this work to tne description of the 
ship on board which I am nov/ sailing-, and expect to sail during the 
voyage, of life. 

The old Ship Zion is a trustworthy vessel. Though she has sail- 
ed for many years, her timbers are sound, her spars, rigging, and 
sails are good, and her anchors and cables are sure. 

Her destined port is reccommended as one of surpassing beauty, 
and as possessing a safe anchorage. 

The same Commander who first sailed her, continues to sail her 
still. His name is Jesus Christ. The vessel is not, however, ful- 
ly manned, and is continually beating up for volunteers, to whom a 
great bounty is offered, even life everlasting. All classes of people 
— old and young, lame, halt and blind: male and female — who will 
comply with the rules and regulations of the ship, are invited to 
take passage. 

The Commander is an able Physician, and can cure all diseases. — 
He has not only given sight to the blind, and made the lame and 
halt to leap for joy, but he has even cured those possessed of the 
devil. 

The rules and regulations of the ship you may peruse at your 
leisure, on shore. You will find them in the New I'estament. 

The labor on board is easy. It is necessrry, however, to watch 
continually, and keep a good look-out, for fear of running afoul of 
the enemy: and young recruits must often be drilled, to make good 
soldiers of them, and to enable them to fight successfully the fight 
of faith. 

The crew neither hunger lior thirst, nor are they in want of cloth- 
ing; for they are supplied with the bread of life and the pure wa- 
ters of salvation, and are clothed with Christ's righteousness. 

There are but few deserters, and most of these, after finding nei- 
ther peace nor comfort on shore, penitently return and sue for for- 
giveness, upon the bended knees of their souls. 

May God bless all of you who are out of this good old ship; and 
may you all be induced to enter on board before she finally pushes 
out from the shore, and is beyond your reach. 




LUN14 




<i 



PRIIVTER, 

NO, 20^, STATE-STREET, ROCHESTER, N. Y, 







Ml ■ — 

^^^ tt?^ " The New York State Statist'cal Almanac" and " The 

if] Franklin Almanac" for 1846, are published at this office. Ped- 

M lers and merchants will do well to call, (t/* Cheap for Cash. 



